South Korea Medical Strike

SOURCE www.nbcnews.com
South Korea plans to deploy military physicians and public health doctors to hospitals affected by a walkout of 12,000 trainee doctors over government reform plans. The walkout started on Feb. 20, causing some hospitals to turn away patients and delay medical procedures.

Key Points

  • Deployment of 20 military surgeons and 138 public health doctors to 20 hospitals for four weeks
  • Government warning of potential license suspension for striking doctors
  • Striking doctors argue that increasing medical school admissions won't address pay and work conditions

Pros

  • Deployment of military physicians and public health doctors to help care for patients affected by the walkout
  • Government's plan to increase medical school admissions to address shortage of doctors in an aging society

Cons

  • Walkout of 12,000 trainee doctors causing strain on hospitals and healthcare system
  • Dispute over increasing medical school admissions leading to disagreement and strike