Where are negotiations and compromise?
Published: 21 Feb. 2024, 20:30
A medical disaster has become a reality. Doctors have acted out their protest of the government’s plan to increase the physician supply by raising the student quota for medical schools across the country. Resident doctors working at the five largest hospitals in Seoul, including Seoul National University Hospital and Severance Hospital, have turned in their resignations in mass and stopped coming to work.
Trainee doctors in regional hospitals have taken a similar move to cause serious disruption in public medical care. Surgeries are being cancelled and emergency rooms are turning away patients due to a critical lack of medical staff.
The government is standing firm and responding to the walkout according to the law and principles. During a cabinet meeting Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed that increasing the student quota for medical schools cannot be deferred, and that the 2,000 addition is the minimum increase. The Ministry of Health and Welfare issued an executive order demanding resident doctors return to their hospitals as soon as possible. But most of them defied the order. The crisis could be lengthened if the head-on clash between the government and the physicians continues. The vacuum in the medical service cannot help anyone and the biggest victims are the patients.
The medical community and government must return to the negotiating table. If they prioritize public health, they must come up with a more practical approach through dialogue and compromise.
Even if an increase in the quota is necessary, both sides must negotiate on the scope of the increase. Doctors also admit the need to increase the number of medical students. A council of medical school deans suggested an addition of 350. The medical community may not be entirely opposed to the enrollment increase. Rather, it may have been offended by the sudden leave-or-take announcement by the government to add 2,000.
The government should be more flexible about the idea of raising the quota by 2,000 all at once. It is true that the quality of medical students and their education could be in question if the opening suddenly surges by 2,000. The government could compromise by adding 500 to 1,000 first and discuss an additional increase after watching the developments. Both sides must find a way out. Once a middle ground is found, the government and the medical community can cooperate to design a road map for an incremental increase over the long terms.
Rivalling politicians must not use the debacle as a political recipe for victory in the April 10 parliamentary elections and instead try to work towards a social compromise. Politicians must media between the government and doctors.
Trainee doctors in regional hospitals have taken a similar move to cause serious disruption in public medical care. Surgeries are being cancelled and emergency rooms are turning away patients due to a critical lack of medical staff.
The government is standing firm and responding to the walkout according to the law and principles. During a cabinet meeting Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed that increasing the student quota for medical schools cannot be deferred, and that the 2,000 addition is the minimum increase. The Ministry of Health and Welfare issued an executive order demanding resident doctors return to their hospitals as soon as possible. But most of them defied the order. The crisis could be lengthened if the head-on clash between the government and the physicians continues. The vacuum in the medical service cannot help anyone and the biggest victims are the patients.
The medical community and government must return to the negotiating table. If they prioritize public health, they must come up with a more practical approach through dialogue and compromise.
Even if an increase in the quota is necessary, both sides must negotiate on the scope of the increase. Doctors also admit the need to increase the number of medical students. A council of medical school deans suggested an addition of 350. The medical community may not be entirely opposed to the enrollment increase. Rather, it may have been offended by the sudden leave-or-take announcement by the government to add 2,000.
The government should be more flexible about the idea of raising the quota by 2,000 all at once. It is true that the quality of medical students and their education could be in question if the opening suddenly surges by 2,000. The government could compromise by adding 500 to 1,000 first and discuss an additional increase after watching the developments. Both sides must find a way out. Once a middle ground is found, the government and the medical community can cooperate to design a road map for an incremental increase over the long terms.
Rivalling politicians must not use the debacle as a political recipe for victory in the April 10 parliamentary elections and instead try to work towards a social compromise. Politicians must media between the government and doctors.
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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