South Korea’s Medical Crisis: A Heartbreaking Tale of Delayed Emergency Care
The ongoing medical strike in South Korea has reached a critical point, with emergency patients bearing the brunt of the crisis. A recent incident involving a woman suffering from sudden heart failure highlights the dire consequences of the stand-off between doctors and the government.
The Incident: A Race Against Time
on January 7, emergency personnel in Cheongju, 112km south of Seoul, received a distressing call. A man reported that his girlfriend had stopped breathing.Rescue workers arrived to find the woman, in her 30s, barely breathing after her boyfriend had initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The woman, who suffered sudden heart failure while drinking, was deemed an emergency patient. Rescue workers contacted 22 hospitals across North and South Chungcheong provinces,as well as the greater Seoul area. Shockingly, all refused to admit her, citing a lack of specialists or resources.
After more than three hours of desperate efforts, she was finally admitted to a hospital 100km away from where she collapsed. By then, her heart had stopped for over three hours. Emergency workers described her condition as dire,with her regaining consciousness only moments before arriving at Suwon Hospital in Gyeonggi Province.
Medical staff are now monitoring her for potential long-term damage, such as paralysis, as she struggles with communication post-revival.
The Bigger Picture: A Nationwide Crisis
This incident is not isolated. Doctors across South Korea have been participating in a mass walkout to protest the government’s plan to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 spots. The strike, which began in February 2024, has led to severe staff shortages, leaving emergency patients vulnerable.
Between February 19 and August 25, 2024, there were 3,071 cases of emergency patients being turned away by hospitals—a staggering 46.3% increase compared to the period before the walkout.
Key Statistics:
| Period | Cases of Patients Turned Away | Increase Compared to Pre-Walkout |
|————————–|———————————–|————————————–|
| Feb 19 – Aug 25, 2024 | 3,071 | 46.3% |
The Root Cause: A Clash Over Medical Reforms
The strike stems from the government’s push to address a projected shortage of 15,000 doctors by 2035. By increasing medical school enrollment, officials aim to bolster the healthcare system, notably in rural areas. Though, doctors argue that the plan will compromise the quality of medical education and exacerbate existing issues like overworked staff and inadequate infrastructure.
The stand-off has left hospitals understaffed, with emergency rooms overwhelmed and patients facing life-threatening delays.
What Can Be Done?
The crisis underscores the urgent need for dialog between the government and medical professionals. While increasing the number of doctors is a long-term solution, addressing immediate concerns—such as improving working conditions and resource allocation—is equally critical.
For patients, staying informed about hospital availability and seeking timely medical advice can definitely help mitigate risks during this turbulent period.
Join the Conversation
Stay updated on breaking news and developments in South Korea’s medical crisis by joining ST’s Telegram channel.The situation is a stark reminder of the human cost of policy disputes. As the strike continues, the hope is that both sides can find common ground to ensure that no more lives are lost or endangered due to delayed care.—
This blog post is based on reporting by The Korea Herald and The Straits Times.
