Doctor walkout planned Oct. 6

Despite the ongoing talks with the government, medical professionals have decided to carry out their nationwide planned walkout Friday. As the planned walkout by the doctors would be joined by the medium-sized and small hospitals, another medical crisis reflective of the one in June is expected.

The government has requested the medical professionals to shelve the walkout with the proposal to amend the core issue of contention, the pharmaceutical reform package.

Government's position: "We will amend the pharmaceutical reform laws in accordance to the consensus of the doctors, pharmacists and the people," Minister of Health and Welfare Choi Sun-Jung said at a press conference Thursday.

To do so, Choi proposed a tripartite negotiating body of doctors, pharmacists and the government.

"Comprehensive analysis of the problems that have come to light following the implementation of the medical reform, as well as the various closed-door and open dialogues with the doctors and the pharmacists, makes the amendment of the pharmaceutical law unavoidable," Choi said. "We hope to settle the unnecessary aspects, which added to the inconvenience of the general public, while guaranteeing the rights of doctors to diagnose and the rights of the pharmacists to dispense drugs. As such, it is our hope that the doctors shelve their planned walkout and become active member of the tripartite talks."

Choi added that a detailed measure for implementation would be drafted through the establishment of a Special Committee for the Medical Reform and Special Committee for the Development of the Health Industry and Pharmaceutical Law Revision under the direct control of the president.

Medical doctors: The Committee for the Fight to Secure Medical Rights of Doctors, an advance guard arm of the Korean Medical Association, has revealed that the government has not yet offered any tangible reform package for the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law and Medical Reform Package, and as such the proposed walkout will forge ahead as planned starting Friday, with medical facilities joining the walkout in three stages.

"The government merely has given us a string of insignificant excuses, has largely avoided giving a clear sign concerning our requests, and only has dragged it through non-productive talks," the advance guard committee said through its declaration Thursday.

"Although a general walkout will be in effect, the large hospitals' emergency rooms, the intensive care units, the maternity wards and the in-patient care will continue to operate,¡± a source on the committee said. ¡°Also, although the duration of the walkout is considered indefinite, we shall keep a close watch on the attitude of the government during the talks, and the KMA will meet Oct. 7 at its headquarters for discussions."

The Korean Hospital Association held meetings of the executive board members, as well as local hospital presidents, and has decided to keep the hospitals open for emergency and intensive care patients.

Song Sang-Keun songmoon@donga.com