The South Korean government on Monday gave protesting doctors a deadline of the end of February to return to work as a form of punishment for the week-long demonstrations.
The protests of young doctors have already disrupted services for patients at several major hospitals. Roughly two-thirds of the Asian country's residents and intern doctors walked off the job in protest of a government plan to increase the number of students who are admitted to medical school.
South Korea Urges Protesting Doctors To Return to Work
It was part of efforts to address what authorities considered to be a shortage of doctors that is expected to worsen in one of the world's fastest-aging societies. The demonstrations also forced hospitals to turn away patients and cancel procedures.
In a statement at the opening of a task force meeting, safety minister Lee Sang-min said that considering the gravity of the situation, the South Korean government is issuing the last plea. She added that the chaos brought by the protests was mounting in hospitals and emergency services had reached a "dangerous situation," as per Reuters.
Lee told protesting doctors that if they choose to return to the hospitals that they left behind by Feb. 29, 2024, they will not be held responsible for what has already happened. The government was urging them to remember that their voices will be heard loudly and most effectively when they are by their patients' sides.
Previously, the local government has warned that it could take legal action against doctors who do not comply with a back-to-work order, including prosecution, possible arrest, and stripping of their medical licenses.
On the other hand, the young doctors who are included in the demonstrations are saying that the South Korean government should first address pay and working conditions before trying to increase the number of physicians.
In response, authorities said that more staff are needed to increase healthcare services in remote areas and meet the growing demands of the country. A 25-year-old trainee doctor, Ryu Ok Hada, said that the current medical system in the nation is run by making cheap trainee doctors keep grinding and working, according to Channel News Asia.
Demonstrating Against New Government Order
While young doctors joined the protests, senior doctors and private practitioners have decided to continue walking but have held rallies urging the local government to scrap its latest plan. There were roughly 400 who gathered in Seoul on Sunday to show their support for the young doctors' demands.
However, a recent Gallup Korea poll found that the government's plan to boost medical school admissions is popular, with roughly 76% of respondents being in favor. Another physician, Park Dan, said that the government's plan is unconstitutional and forces them to work against their will.
Protesting doctors argued that universities are unable to handle so many new students and that the government's latest plan will not resolve a chronic shortage of professionals in some key but low-paying areas such as pediatrics and emergency departments.
During a Monday televised briefing, Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said that the government will not seek any disciplinary action against doctors who return to work by Thursday. He added that they want protesters to go back to serving patients by the end of the month, said the Associated Press.
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