South Korea's government has announced its decision to abandon the plan to suspend the licenses of striking junior doctors in a bid to resolve the country's ongoing medical impasse. The move comes as part of efforts to encourage the doctors to return to work and alleviate the strain on the healthcare system.
The striking doctors, comprising medical interns and residents, had walked off their jobs in February to protest the government's proposal to increase medical school admissions significantly. This action had disrupted operations at university hospitals and posed a threat to medical services in South Korea.
Despite a legal setback in May when a Seoul court ruled in favor of the government's plan, the authorities have now opted not to suspend the licenses of the striking doctors, whether they choose to return to work or not. The government has also pledged special measures to support the returnees in their training and licensing processes.
The government's decision, as explained by Health Minister Cho KyooHong, aims to minimize the impact on emergency and critical patient care and ensure a steady supply of specialist doctors in the future. The move has been made in the interest of public health and the stability of the medical training system.
While the government had initially threatened license suspensions and legal action against the striking doctors, only a small percentage of them have returned to work so far. The standoff has caused divisions among medical professionals, with reports of harassment against those who chose not to participate in the strike.
Efforts to address the country's healthcare needs, including the aging population and the shortage of doctors in certain regions and specialties, remain ongoing. The government had previously proposed an increase in medical school enrollment, which faced opposition from doctors concerned about the impact on the quality of medical services.
Despite these challenges, the government has now opted for a more conciliatory approach by refraining from punitive measures against the striking doctors. The focus is on finding a resolution that balances the needs of the healthcare system with the concerns of medical professionals.
