Regarding the Ministry of Education’s decision to consider shortening the medical school curriculum from 6 years to a maximum of 5 years, Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Gyu-hong said, “We have not consulted with the Ministry of Health and Welfare,” and added, “We are not opposed to shortening if the quality of education is guaranteed.” stated its position. He also said that responsibility for this medical crisis lies not only with the medical community but also with the government.
At the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee audit on the 7th, Minister Cho Kyu-hong responded to a question from Democratic Party lawmaker Baek Hye-ryun, asking, “Did you consult with the Ministry of Health and Welfare before the Ministry of Education announced the previous day that it would shorten the medical school curriculum to 5 years?” and answered, “There was no specific consultation in advance.” He answered.
He added, “I understand that it reflects the Ministry of Education’s concerns about difficulties in academic schedules and preventing a gap in medical manpower.”
At the same time, “If you look at the Ministry of Education’s announcement yesterday, it does not mean to uniformly convert to a 5-year system or mandate a 5-year period for students entering in a specific year, but to allow shortening the education period depending on the school’s circumstances to the extent that it does not harm the quality of education. He said, “Isn’t the most important thing to ensure the quality of medical education? If it is possible to reduce the time to ensure quality, we are not opposed to it.”
However, in response to the question, “Is it realistically possible to reduce the 6-year course to 5 years since medical school education is still conducted intensively?”, he responded, “The Ministry of Education is also emphasizing cooperation with the field and said that this is not confirmed and will be reviewed.” “It is,” he answered.
He said, “The Ministry of Health and Welfare believes that this should not lead to a decline in the quality of medical education and the production of low-quality doctors.” He added, “I don’t think there will be any shortening of the training period while lowering the quality of medical care and education.” “he added.
In response to Rep. Kim Seon-min’s criticism of the Homeland Innovation Party, saying, “A medical student lamented that if veterinary school lasts 6 years and medical school lasts 5 years, the lives of citizens are worse than those of dogs and pigs,” Minister Cho said, “We will make sure that the quality of medical education does not deteriorate.” He answered.
In addition, the National Assembly inspection on this day also pointed out the issue of the return of residents who have not returned for 7 months.
When asked by So Byeong-hoon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, “Do you think residents will return in March next year,” Park Min-soo, the second vice minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, “That cannot be predicted.”
Next, in response to Rep. So’s question, “What plan B do you have if you don’t come back?” he responded, “I will do my best to ensure that there is no gap in the treatment of severe emergency patients by implementing the emergency treatment system we are currently operating without a hitch.”
Minister Cho and Vice Minister Park’s responses continued to be criticized by lawmakers.
Lee Gae-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out, “If you listen to the words, they do not address the essence of the situation at all. The biggest essence is the medical school garden, but there is no core idea of how to solve it or find a solution through dialogue.”
In response, Minister Cho said, “I have said several times that if a reasonable alternative is brought to the medical school quota, we will review it from a zero base,” but added, “However, in the case of the 2025 quota, it is virtually impossible to reduce it because a significant part of the admissions process has already been completed.” Nailed it.
When Rep. Lee pointed out, “Hasn’t he actually given up on resolving this situation?” he responded, “That’s not true.”
In addition, when it was pointed out that “Shouldn’t the Human Resources Supply and Demand Estimation Committee be held before deciding to increase the number of people by 2,000?”, he responded, “When deciding on the number of 2,000 people, we listened to experts’ opinions and confirmed it through the Health and Medical Policy Deliberation Committee, just as we tried to do at the Human Resources Supply and Demand Estimation Committee.” “However, since the medical community says the government’s decision is unscientific, the intention is that it will be possible to review it in 2026 using that system,” he explained.
However, regarding the declaration that the five medical groups would not participate in the estimation committee, he said, “It is an important supplier organization and the majority (doctors’ groups) are supposed to make up the majority, so their attendance is essential,” and “If they do not participate, the first thing to do is to start with the nursing staff estimate.” “And then we will continue to persuade the medical community,” he said.
At the same time, Minister Cho said that not only the medical community but also the government is responsible for the medical crisis that has continued for seven months.
When asked whether the greatest responsibility for the current medical crisis lies with medical residents or the government, Minister Cho answered that both parties are responsible, saying, “I think responsibility lies with the medical community and the government.”
In addition, in response to pressure from lawmakers who asked, “Shouldn’t I resign in response to the decision to increase the number of medical students by 2,000 students?” Minister Cho said, “(The increase by 2,000 students) was decided under my responsibility,” but added, “I will minimize medical gaps with an attitude of always taking responsibility.” “I will do my best,” he said, avoiding an answer, saying, “As a government official, it is not appropriate for me to reveal my whereabouts when the medical field is in such dire straits.”
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2024-10-07 13:40:42