``Even though I returned from the US to the country for surgery''...Patients panic as trainee doctors strike - South Korea

On the 20th, when medical students and resident doctors at major university hospitals in Seoul began a strike, patients and their parents have been receiving news that surgeries have been canceled. Parents of office workers with children
, patients coming from other parts of the world are faced with the challenge of having to wait for long periods of time before receiving treatment. Today, there are hospitals in various "Sick Friends Association" cafes and online communities.
There have been a number of posts complaining that surgeries were suddenly postponed due to the strike and asking for alternatives. Ms. A, who was scheduled to undergo surgery for an ovarian cyst, was informed by the hospital on the 16th of this month that the surgery would be postponed.
I received a phone call. Mr. A said, ``When I went to the hospital the day before (the 15th) to hear the results of the pre-surgery tests, I said I would see you on the day of the surgery on the 20th, but there was a shortage of anesthesiologists due to the strike.
``I was told that the surgery would be difficult,'' and ``I made another appointment in a month, but depending on the situation with the strike, it may be postponed further.''
Parents who work at companies and patients who come from faraway areas are at a loss because they don't know when they will be able to receive treatment again after their surgeries have been postponed.
. A woman with two daughters said, ``I was scheduled to have surgery at Korea University Anam Hospital in mid-March, but it was postponed.'' undergo pre-surgery tests
I was planning to do it, but I didn't know what to do." He added, "I'm not sure if I should postpone my return plane ticket."
After the government's decision to increase the number of medical school admissions by 2,000 people was announced, five major hospitals in Seoul (Seoul University Hospital, Severance Hospital, Samsung Seoul Hospital)
The gap in medical care has become more visible as a result of collective actions by specialized doctors centered around Seoul Asan Hospital and Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. On the 19th, in areas such as Gwangju and Jeonnam,
At major hospitals, specialty physicians continued to submit resignation letters. Some people are concerned that it will take time for postponed surgeries to be rescheduled, and that it may be difficult for hospitals to normalize their medical functions for a while.
There is also a voice. In line with this, the government announced on the 19th that it will promote a plan to change the treatment system at large hospitals to focus on emergency and critical patients, and to transfer mild and non-emergency patients from advanced general hospitals to general hospitals.
Announced. In addition, 97 public health and medical institutions, including local medical clinics and hospitals affiliated with the Labor and Welfare Corporation, will expand their weekday clinic hours and also offer clinics on weekends and public holidays.