Gov't issues back-to-work orders to 278 striking doctors

A doctor holds a sign criticizing the government medical policy at the Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020. AP

The health authorities issued back-to-work orders to 278 striking doctors across the country Saturday as their collective action in protest of a medical reform plan continued.

The Korean Medical Association (KMA), which represents 130,000 doctors nationwide, ended their three-day walkout Friday. But interns and residents at general hospitals continued their action, and the KMA also vowed to launch an indefinite strike Sept. 7 unless the government withdrew its new plan to increase the number of medical students and open a new medical school.

The government has ordered not only junior doctors in the greater Seoul area but also those in the provinces to return to work, warning of possible prison terms, as the country is faced with a prolonged spike in new COVID-19 infections.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters said Saturday that it had conducted an inspection into 10 training hospitals in the country and sent out the executive order to 278 junior doctors working at emergency rooms and in intensive care units.

The Korean Intern and Resident Association (KIRA) representing the trainee doctors, as well as fellow doctors at major general hospitals have said they will continue their walkout indefinitely unless the government reconsiders its plan.

Those who do not follow the government order without a legitimate reason could have their licenses revoked and even face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won (US$25,000).

The government said the percentage of trainee doctors that walked out Friday stood at 75.8 percent, it said, while that of doctors came to 35.9 percent.

The walkout by practitioners at neighborhood clinics also caused some discomfort, but no major disruptions were reported due to the relatively low number of strikers, according to the health authorities.

A total of 2,141 clinics nationwide, or 6.4 percent, were closed Friday, it said. The figure is less than the 33 percent participation rate by practitioners tallied in the first walkout earlier this month.

As part of the government's medical workforce reform plan, the health ministry is planning to expand admission quotas at medical schools by 4,000 over the next 10 years, starting in 2022, and to open a new public medical school, as it seeks to broaden the reach of healthcare services.

This will increase the number of students admitted annually to medical schools to 3,458 in the 2022-2031 period from the current 3,058. (Yonhap)