SEOUL—Two major hospitals in Seoul, run by the city government, are projected to incur losses nearing $71.89 million this year, exacerbated by an ongoing strike by trainee doctors that began in late February.
According to Philippines News Agency, Seoul Medical Center and Boramae Medical Center face a combined projected loss of 89.7 billion won if the striking trainee doctors do not resume work and the disruptions continue until year-end. The strike, initiated by trainee doctors nationwide, is in response to the government’s decision to increase medical school admission quotas to address a shortage of medical professionals.
At Seoul Medical Center, trainee doctors make up 22 percent of the medical staff, while at Boramae Medical Center, they account for 33.9 percent. The strike has significantly reduced operational capacity, with hospital bed usage dropping by over 20 percent at both facilities, and outpatient visits at Boramae falling by more than 10 percent.
In response to the crisis, the city government plans to allocate 45.6 billion won to support the hospitals and mitigate the impact on medical services. This includes activating emergency management procedures and implementing cost-cutting measures. An official stated, “The decision to inject the city budget was inevitable to ensure that they provide necessary medical services for citizens. We will work hard to persuade trainee doctors to end their strike.”
The government’s recent decision to increase the medical school admissions quota by about 1,500 students, the first such hike in 27 years, has faced strong opposition from the medical community.