"House utilization rate 50%"...Veterans Hospital Hit directly by Parliamentary Conflict

[Anchor]
Amid the growing confusion in the medical field due to the resignation of medical doctors, the inconvenience of those who sacrificed for the country is also increasing.

The hospital room utilization rate and the number of surgeries at Seoul's Central Veterans Hospital have fallen sharply, and not only patients but also their families are suffering.

Reporter Shin Gwi-hye reports.

[Reporter]
The 70-year-old grandfather seriously injured his eye while serving in the military more than 50 years ago.


High blood pressure and heart disease overlapped, and he was constantly treated at the Seoul Central Veterans Hospital for people of national merit.

However, due to the collective action of the medical community earlier this year, it is now difficult to even make an appointment.

[National merit (using the Central Veterans Hospital): With the strike of the major, the reservation is extended to five months, even six months.... I don't say exactly why it's a major's strike, but it's getting too much....]

The resignation of the major directly hit the Seoul Central Veterans Hospital, which has more than 1,300 beds.

The number of residents here at the Central Veterans Hospital is 110.

It is the largest, more than half of all veterans' hospitals nationwide.

But as of July this year, there are only nine doctors left.

Until last year, the hospital room utilization rate, which averaged over 70%, fell sharply to 50%.

The number of surgeries was also about 7,000 from February to August this year, down 2,000 from the same period last year.

I'm holding out somehow, even paying a special allowance, but I can't guarantee how long it will last.

[Kim Nam-geun / Democratic Party of Korea National Assembly member: It seems that more damage is being done to the vulnerable. The special allowance budget needs to be greatly expanded. In the long run, medical organizations and the government eventually agreed....]

The Veterans Welfare and Medical Service said it is operating an emergency medical system with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and putting in alternative personnel for majors such as dedicated nurses, and is making efforts to ensure that there is no disruption in medical treatment.

As the parliamentary conflict drags on, the health of the people of national merit who devoted their bodies and hearts to the country is also increasingly threatened.

I'm YTN's Shin Gwihye.

Reporter for shooting
: Lee Dong-gyu

Design: Jeon Whee-lin