Seoul city to provide 3.1 bln won to private hospitals for emergency medical staff

The Seoul city government will provide 3.1 billion won (US$2.3 million) in financial assistance to help private hospitals hire emergency replacement medical staff in the aftermath of the protracted mass walkout by trainee doctors, the mayor said Friday. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon made the announcement during his meeting with the heads of 18 major general hospitals located in Seoul as the ongoing collective action by trainee doctors has led to mass cancellations and delays in surgeries and emergency medical treatment at general hospitals. More than 11,000 intern and resident doctors have stayed off their duties at general hospitals for the 18th day to protest against the government's plan to raise the medical school quota by 2,000 seats beginning next year. The city has previously pumped in 2.6 billion won to public hospitals to help them hire emergency medical staff as such hospitals extended their service hours in efforts to curb the fallout from the walkout. "In addition, the city plans to inject an additi onal 3.1 billion won to private emergency medical institutions to assist their emergency hiring of medical workers," Oh said during the meeting. The hospital chiefs who attended Friday's meeting included those of Samsung Medical Center, St. Mary's Hospital in southern Seoul, Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul Medical Center and National Medical Center. The latest financial support will benefit 31 private hospitals within Seoul. The city has extended operating hours of eight city-run public hospitals and 25 public district health centers as part of its emergency measures to mitigate any impact from the walkout. "Seoul city puts the top priority on safeguarding the health and lives of citizens under any circumstances," Oh said, pledging his city's utmost efforts for the normalization of medical services. Source: Yonhap News Agency