South Korea Faces Cancer Surgery Crisis as Doctors Walk Out
Seoul, South Korea – A mass exodus of doctors in South Korea, sparked by a nationwide protestagainst working conditions, has led to a significant decline in cancer surgery rates, raising concerns about patient care and access to vital treatment.
According to data releasedby the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of major cancer surgeries performed at tertiary hospitals (the highest level of medical facilities) dropped by approximately 17% between February and July of this year compared to the same period in 2023.
The six major cancers included in the data are gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, andlung cancer, all of which are designated as national cancer screening targets.
The most significant decline was observed in liver cancer surgeries, which decreased by 23.1%. Other notable drops include gastric cancer (21.7%),lung cancer (18.3%), colorectal cancer (16.4%), and breast cancer (10.4%).
The crisis stems from a mass walkout by resident doctors and interns across the country in February. The protest was triggered by concerns over excessive working hours, inadequate compensation, and a lack of supportfor their well-being. The doctors demanded improvements in their working conditions, including a reduction in their workload and better protection from burnout.
The walkout has had a profound impact on tertiary hospitals, which are the primary providers of specialized medical care, including cancer surgery. The shortage of doctors has led to longer wait timesfor patients and a reduction in the number of surgeries that can be performed.
The situation is extremely serious, said a spokesperson for the Korean Medical Association. The decline in cancer surgery rates is a direct result of the doctor shortage, and it is putting patients at risk. We urge the government to take immediate actionto address the concerns of doctors and improve working conditions in the medical field.
The government has acknowledged the crisis and has taken some steps to address the situation. In July, the government implemented a new emergency response system for critical illnesses, requiring hospitals to rotate on-call duties to ensure continuous patient care.
However, the government’s efforts have been criticized by some as insufficient. The Korean Medical Association and other medical organizations have called for more comprehensive reforms, including increased funding for hospitals, a reduction in the number of patients assigned to each doctor, and better support for doctors’ mental health.
The crisis highlights the challenges facing theSouth Korean healthcare system. While the country boasts a high-quality healthcare system, it is facing increasing pressure from an aging population and rising healthcare costs. The doctor shortage and the decline in cancer surgery rates are just the latest symptoms of a system in need of reform.
The situation is likely to worsen in the coming monthsif the government fails to address the concerns of doctors. The potential consequences are dire, with patients facing longer wait times, reduced access to specialized care, and potentially poorer outcomes.
The crisis also raises broader questions about the value of healthcare professionals and the need to prioritize their well-being. The South Korean government must takedecisive action to address the doctor shortage and ensure that patients have access to the high-quality healthcare they deserve.
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