South Korea has kicked off a two-week emergency medical response to tackle mounting pressure on its healthcare system as thousands of young doctors continue their six-month strike. With Chuseok—Korea’s major harvest festival—approaching, the government is scrambling to ensure hospitals stay operational. 🌕🏥
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced higher insurance fees for specialists during peak periods, including a 3.5x increase in emergency center examination fees. Over 8,000 clinics will remain open during the holiday, up from 3,600 during Lunar New Year earlier this year. 💸👨⚕️
The crisis began in February when trainee doctors walked out to protest a government plan to boost medical school enrollments. Hospitals, reliant on these junior staff, have since struggled with staff shortages, forcing some ERs to turn away patients. Meanwhile, military doctors have been deployed to ease the strain. ⚖️⚠️
Despite concerns of a ‘medical collapse,’ officials insist the system remains functional. 'We’re not at the brink,' Han stressed, acknowledging the exhaustion of overworked staff. The strike highlights a growing global debate: How do nations balance healthcare workforce demands with quality care? 🌐💬
