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Seoul has rolled out a series of measures to persuade more than 10,000 young doctors to return to work, but most of them have yet to agree.
Despite months of efforts between the government and the medical community, more than 10,000 trainee doctors who participated in the strike may actually leave their jobs after deciding not to withdraw their resignations, Yonhap news agency quoted the South Korean Health Ministry as saying on July 18.
In February, more than 90 percent of some 13,000 young doctors resigned in protest at the government’s plan to sharply increase enrollment in medical schools. Seoul has offered a series of measures to persuade them to return, but most have yet to agree.
In a related meeting, South Korean Health Minister Cho Kyoo Hong affirmed: "The government is reviewing the list of interns who decided to quit their jobs submitted by hospitals."
According to him, the ministry has asked hospitals to complete accepting the resignations of these doctors by July 22, and pledged not to suspend the strikers' medical licenses, regardless of whether they return to the hospital or not.
“After confirming the vacancies, the government will start the recruitment process for medical interns in the second half of the year,” the health minister said, stressing that young doctors have the opportunity to obtain professional licenses if they apply for the upcoming course.
In addition, the Korean government will strengthen medical surveillance and further strengthen the emergency system to minimize medical service gaps.
Minister Cho Kyoo Hong also pledged to carry out "fundamental reforms" of the health system to reduce the dependence of large hospitals on trainee doctors.
The strike disrupted the health care system as most major hospitals significantly reduced treatments, surgeries and services.
On the same day, the South Korean Health Ministry said it had forwarded the files of 18 doctors, medical students and others to prosecutors to investigate allegations of involvement in creating or spreading lists of interns who returned to hospitals after a strike.
Last week, a list of medical interns who decided to end their months-long strike and return to work was circulated online. Police have investigated the case at the request of the South Korean Health Ministry.
TB (according to VNA)