The South Korean Government Urges Doctors To End Work Strikes Amid The Increasing Number Of COVID-19 Cases

Illustration (Unsplash / Hush Naidoo)

JAKARTA - The government of South Korea (South Korea) ordered doctors in Seoul to return to work. Previously they went on strike for three days because they were disappointed with the government's decision to increase the number of doctors. What's wrong?

Reporting to Reuters, the trainee doctors have carried out a continuous strike. Meanwhile, thousands of other doctors will follow the action for three days starting today.

The strike comes amid South Korea's efforts to fight back the COVID-19 pandemic, after discovering 320 new cases in just 24 hours on Tuesday. The strike forced five major hospitals in South Korea to limit working hours and delay scheduled operations.

Earlier this week, doctors actually agreed to a government directive to continue treating COVID-19 patients. However, on broader issues the agreement has not yet reached a common ground.

The government was forced to take the necessary legal action such as issuing orders to work in order to pressure doctors. "We urge all trainees and fellow doctors to return to work immediately," South Korean Health Minister Park Neung-hoo said in a statement.

Doctor's demands

The South Korean Health Minister said the Korean Medical Association (KMA) and the Korean Internal Association (KIRA) had rejected several government offers. In a statement, the KMA said the medical community was always open to any possibilities in talks with the government. The KMA also said that the doctors didn't really want to go on strike.

"We sincerely wish to return," said the statement. However, "We ask you, citizens, to listen to our voices so that we can meet our patients as quickly as possible," he wrote.

KMA and KIRA members say they oppose the government's plans to increase the number of medical students over several years and establish a public medical school. They also rejected government insurance licenses that covered more oriental medicine, and introduced more "telemedicine" options, health services that allow patients to consult a doctor without meeting in person.

The government says it has a clear goal of why it should increase the number of medical students. The addition of 4,000 medical students over the next 10 years is needed to better prepare for a public health crisis, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The medical student, however, said the plan should not be necessary as it would overwhelm an already competitive market. In addition, the additional funds could better be used to increase the salaries of existing doctor trainees, which would encourage them to move from Seoul to rural areas where more health professionals are needed.