[ad_1]
Seoul, South Korea Medical Association warned on Friday that amid rising COVID-19 cases and the ongoing strike Trainee doctor can cripple hospital emergency room Next month, at a time when many doctors will also be on leave due to public holidays.
However, the government has dismissed the threat of emergency rooms being closed. Korean Medical Association (KMA) said it is providing additional support where necessary.
In February, thousands of trainee doctors, including interns and resident doctors, walked off the job in protest against a plan by authorities to increase the number of medical students by 2,000 a year to address a severe shortage of doctors.
Hospitals that relied on trainee doctors from various medical disciplines have had to turn away patients. emergency roomThe government said the doctors were furloughed citing shortage of staff while the existing doctors were overburdened with work.
The KMA, which represents practicing doctors, said most emergency doctors working at university hospitals are resigning due to fear of facing increased malpractice suits due to overwork and burnout.
“In September, when the wave of COVID-19 cases peaks, there will be a surge in the number of patients and, at the same time, a surge in new cases of infection.” Chuseok Holiday “Emergency rooms are likely to be gradually closed when doctors in essential specialties take leave,” KMA spokesman Chae Dong-young told a briefing.
Chuseok is the country’s annual holiday celebrated for three days in autumn.
The Health Ministry said emergency rooms at some hospitals might need assistance from military or community doctors appointed by the authorities, but denied that emergency rooms would be closed.
South Korea has seen a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases this month, but the health ministry has said more than 95% of patients visiting emergency rooms are those who can be treated at clinics.
as part of a medical reform planThe government has proposed incentives for doctors to practice in essential specialties and in areas outside Seoul and other major cities.
It has also been proposed to increase the cost of use of emergency services to patients in non-acute emergency situations to reduce the burden in this sector.
(Reporting by Jack Kim and Joo-min Park; Editing by Ed Davies)
[ad_2]
Source link