Medical professors to begin resignations Thursday, weekly days off amid protracted strike

Medical professors at major hospitals in Korea will begin resigning on Thursday as planned and take one day off weekly starting next week, arguing that they have been pushed to their limits from overwork with the junior doctors' strike.

A statement by an emergency committee of medical professors of Seoul National University Hospital is posted on the walls of the hospital in central Seoul on Wednesday, announcing it would suspend all medical services except for emergency rooms and intensive care units on April 30. [YONHAP]

Medical professors at major hospitals in Korea will begin resigning on Thursday as planned and take one day off weekly starting next week, arguing that they have been pushed to their limits from overwork with the junior doctors' strike extending over two months.

Professors at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) will pause all surgeries and treatment for outpatients on April 30, except for emergency rooms and intensive care units.

“To recover from the extreme physical and mental exhaustion caused by working extremely long hours for more than two months, we are suspending all medical services except emergency room and intensive units on April 30," said the head of an emergency committee of medical professors of SNUH, adding that discussions on weekly suspension of services will take place at a later date.

Professors from Asan Medical Center and the University of Ulsan College of Medicine will have a weekly day off starting May 3.

Following two of the so-called "Big 5" hospitals in the capital area, other major hospitals will likely participate in the once-a-week time-off.

Doctors in the regional hospitals are also joining the action.

Professors from two national universities in Chungcheong area, including Chungnam National University Hospital, will have a day of rest every Friday starting this week.

Doctors are seen near the hospital in Seoul on Wednesday amid the prolonged walkout of trainee doctors in protest of government's plan to increase medical school admission seats. [NEWS1]

The movement comes after an emergency committee for national medical professors announced on Tuesday that professors' resignations will start on Thursday as planned, despite the government's refusal to accept them. They will also take a day off next week, claiming they have been stretched thin amid the prolonged leave by trainee doctors.

Medical professors began submitting resignations on March 25, but hospitals have yet to approve them. Without employer consent, resignations can take legal effect after one month.

The committee said the decision to take a day off is in response to the mental and physical limitations of professors working 70 to 100 hours per week.

Medical centers will finalize dates for a day off for next week one by one in accordance with their situations.

While all surgeries and treatment are paused on the planned day off, emergency rooms and intensive care units will remain operational.

The medical group's move is seen as an effort to put more pressure on the government as the government's plan on the medical school admission quota for next year is nearing its finalization.

The Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) is accepting applications from medical universities for admission plan changes until the end of April. Once the KCUE approves, each university can admit more medical students starting the next academic year per the government's plan.

Deputy prime minister and Education minister Lee Ju-ho speaks at a meeting with presidents of universities establishing medical schools at the Korea Institue of Educational Facility Safety in Yeouido, western Seoul on Wednesday. / [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

On Wednesday, the government underscored its commitment to listening to doctors' voices.

"The government will listen to the opinions of the medical community and proactively engage in a dialogue with them in pursuing the medical reform,” Interior Minister Lee Sang-min said as he presided over Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at the government complex in Seoul on Wednesday.

However, Lee reaffirmed the government's dedication to medical reform.

"The government will push forward medical reform to normalize the health care system, ensuring citizens have access to high-quality medical service at any time and anywhere,” the interior minister said.

Lee urged the doctors’ committee to participate in a presidential special committee on medical reform, which is set to hold its inaugural meeting on Thursday.

With hospitals taking a weekly day off while already reducing surgeries and outpatient operations, patients expressed concern about further disrupting the nation's health care system.

"Doctors, please stay at the hospital even after April 25 so that essential medical services like emergency operations and baby delivery can continue,” the Korea Alliance of Patients organization pleaded.

BY WOO JI-WON [woo.jiwon@joongang.co.kr]