A coalition of medical school professors in South Korea has painted a grim picture of the nation’s healthcare system. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — In a stark contradiction to government assurances, a coalition of medical school professors in South Korea has painted a grim picture of the nation’s healthcare system, claiming that many emergency rooms are already unable to provide normal care.
The group asserts that punishing those responsible for the healthcare breakdown and halting plans to increase medical school admissions are the only solutions to the current crisis.
An emergency committee of professors from medical schools nationwide issued a statement on September 2 challenging the government’s narrative. “Emergency rooms are not functioning properly due to a shortage of specialists,” the committee stated.
“Contrary to government reports, many emergency departments are already unable to provide regular care.”
The committee provided alarming statistics to support its claims. As of September 1, the committee reported that out of 57 university hospital emergency rooms nationwide, 14 were unable to perform deliveries, while 16 could not conduct thoracic aorta surgeries.
The situation has become particularly dire for infant and pediatric care, with 24 hospitals incapable of performing intestinal obstruction procedures on infants and young children, and a staggering 46 unable to provide endoscopies for this vulnerable population.
The committee also named several hospitals that have partially closed their emergency rooms or plan to do so, including Konkuk University Chungju Hospital, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Dankook University Hospital, the National Medical Center, Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Kangwon National University Hospital, and Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital.
“The number of conditions that cannot be treated in emergency rooms will increase after the Chuseok holiday, and more universities will close their emergency departments,” the committee warned.
“Is this how an emergency medical system should function?”
The medical professors argue that the current situation is leading to delayed diagnoses of severe conditions, with patients unable to receive optimal treatment and facing postponed surgeries.
They question whether this aligns with the President Yoon Suk Yeol’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to health and life.
The committee is calling for political action, urging lawmakers to recognize the severity of the medical crisis and to press the President for decisive action.
Doctors are also appealing to the Supreme Court to suspend the government’s decision to increase medical school admissions by 2,000, arguing that this move is necessary to prevent the collapse of South Korea’s healthcare system and protect public health.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
