Refer Report

The medical association issued a notice saying, “If you want to use emergency medical care during the Chuseok holiday, contact a government agency or the Office of the President.”

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) released the “2024 Chuseok Holiday Medical Treatment Guide” on the 2nd, saying, “The medical crisis is getting worse, but the President, who must resolve it, says that the emergency medical system is operating smoothly,” and “For emergency medical treatment during the Chuseok holiday, please contact a government agency or the Office of the President.” In the guide, the KMA included information on the Ministry of Health and Welfare call center, etc., along with the phone number for the Office of the President (02-800-7070).

The Korean Medical Association strongly protested when the government announced that it would operate a two-week “Chuseok Holiday Emergency Response Week” and designate and operate over 400 more on-call hospitals and clinics than during the previous holiday. In a notice, the group told its members, “We will take legal action against the government forcing unfair labor on private medical institutions other than emergency medical institutions and facilities that can provide emergency treatment during the Chuseok holiday.” The government’s official document regarding the Chuseok holiday emergency medical system operation plan released by the Korean Medical Association includes the content, “If emergency and on-call medical institutions do not comply, an administrative disposition of 15 days of suspension of business may be imposed.”

Regarding this, Park Min-soo, 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, said in a briefing on emergency medical care and other emergency treatment responses held that afternoon, “Every year, we have prepared treatment measures for holidays such as Chuseok and Lunar New Year, and this time is no different,” and “The medical community has cooperated well so far, and I believe they will do the same this time as well.”

The Korean Medical Association said, “Since the president has declared that the medical field is running smoothly without any problems, we hope that you will trust the president and the government during this holiday and take care of your own health and the well-being of your family first.” They also added, “Currently, due to the shortage of medical personnel and the collapse of the support system, many hospitals and clinics are having difficulty providing 24-hour emergency treatment,” and “If you do not have the treatment capacity to accept emergency patients, you will put the patients at greater risk.”

Reporter Lee Jeong-yeon xingxing@hani.co.kr

Source: Korean