Obstetrics and gynecology may disappear... An unprecedented crisis situation

I'm really worried.

Hospitals that can deliver babies keep closing down...

The avoidance of obstetrics and gynecology among young doctors is at a serious level. One in three obstetrics and gynecology specialists is over 60 years old. It appears that the declining birth rate in the country has caused this phenomenon.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee on the 20th, the number of obstetric and gynecological specialists is 6,082 as of August this year. Their average age is 54.4 years.

Looking at the data by age group, obstetricians and gynecologists in their 50s accounted for the highest percentage at 32.5%. Those in their 40s and 60s followed with 22.8% and 22.2%, respectively. Obstetricians and gynecologists in their 20s and 30s made up only 0.15% and 11.5%, respectively.

Regional disparities were also found to be severe. Gyeongbuk, Jeonbuk, and Jeonnam had average ages of obstetric and gynecological specialists at 60.8, 59.6, and 59.1 years respectively, all exceeding the overall average.

The main reason appears to be a sharp decline in the birth rate, leading to a decreased preference among doctors for obstetrics and gynecology. Korea's total fertility rate last year was 0.72 children, the lowest after Hong Kong and Macau. During the same period, the global average fertility rate was 2.25 children.

Assemblyman Park Hee-seung said, "Among ten obstetricians and gynecologists, three have already exceeded the legal retirement age," and added, "As you go to rural areas, the number of specialists is fewer and the average age is higher. In a situation where there are concerns about a shortage of obstetric and gynecological medical services, it is urgent to develop policies."

<Source: The Economist>