SEOUL, – South Korea’s health minister said Thursday the country will begin gradually increasing the medical school enrollment quota in 2025 to address chronic doctor shortages.
Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong told reporters that the government would allow some universities to increase the quota in 2025 “if they have room to increase their capacity.”
“Given the pressing nature of this matter, we will aim to increase the quotas for existing medical schools. We will also continue to review the plan to open new schools in provinces,” he added.
The remark came after South Korea has been seeking to expand the medical school quota, capped at 3,058 since 2006, amid growing concerns over shortages of doctors, particularly in the provincial areas.
According to the data provided by the health ministry, the number of doctors for every 1,000 people currently stands at 2.2, far below the average of 3.7 posted by the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Areas outside the capital city of Seoul suffered more from the doctor shortage, with the figures for Gyeonggi Province and North Gyeongsang Province reaching 1.76 and 1.39, respectively.
The government anticipates the shortage of doctors will further escalate down the road, as South Korea is set to become a “super-aged society” in 2025, in which senior citizens make up 20 percent of the population.
Amid the rising criticism from doctors, Cho said the government will also continue to discuss ways to improve the working environment and compensation for them as well.
“The government also does not think that we can solve all pending issues just by expanding the quota,” Cho said. “Our policy goal is to encourage doctors to actively participate in regional and essential services.”
Source: Yonhap News Agency