Despite warning, many Korean docs protest plan to increase med-school intake

Seoul witnessed a significant protest on Sunday as thousands of doctors took to the streets to voice their opposition to the South Korean governments proposal to increase medical school admissions CNN reportedThe demonstration also highlighted broader concerns regarding insufficient support for the nations healthcare systemThe protesting doctors said that the government should address a spectrum of challenges facing the healthcare system rather than merely increasing the annual intake of medical students Key concerns include specific field staffing government remuneration for essential medical treatments and the establishment of a robust infrastructure to support the education of a growing number of medical students according to CNNThe governments announcement in February revealed plans to boost medical school admissions by 2000 students annually starting from the 2025 academic year ultimately reaching a total of 5000 students per year The objective is to meet the evolving healthcare demands of one of the worlds fastestageing societies and enhance medical accessibility in rural areasTrainee doctors facing difficult working conditions marked by low pay and long hours commenced strikes on February 21 with around 8000 submitting their resignations An additional 1000 have resigned since then reflecting the gravity of the situationSouth Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the governments commitment to the proposed changes stating Protecting people such as children the elderly and people with disabilities is directly linked to the governments core policy on welfare for the vulnerable populations in healthcare Therefore this medical reform is not a matter for negotiations or compromiseAccording to a recent Gallup poll 76 per cent of respondents favoured expanding medical school admissionsOn Thursday the government issued a backtowork order warning striking doctors their medical licenses could be suspended if they did not complyDespite the deadline a representative for South Koreas doctors said they supported the walkout and would continue to push for their demands to be metTo address the healthcare gap during the strike the government has enlisted and granted legal protection to nurses for performing certain medical procedures typically handled by doctors according to the health ministryThe standoff between the government and the medical community underscores the complexity of balancing healthcare demands in a nation experiencing a shrinking number of child care facilities a surge in elderly facilities and the worlds lowest birth rate since 2015 CNN reportedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever