Members of patient advocacy groups stage a protest urging doctors to end the ongoing walkout at Bosingak Bell Pavilion in Jongno District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

A total of 92 patient advocacy groups held an unprecedented rally in Seoul, Thursday, calling on the medical community to end its ongoing walkout and urging the National Assembly to enact legislation to prevent future collective actions by medical professionals.

The groups, comprised of patients and their guardians, inlcuded the Union of Korea Breast Cancer Patients, the Korea Alliance of Patients Organization and the Korean Organization for Rare Diseases.

Large-scale rallies by patient organizations are exceedingly rare, given that the members are patients or their guardians dealing with their health challenges.

"We are here today to ensure that patients are no longer harmed or left anxious because of the strike," said Kwak Jeom-sun, chairman of the Union of Korea Breast Cancer Patients.

"We urge the doctors to return to their patients' sides as soon as possible."

So far, patient groups have voiced their concerns through press conferences or meetings with government officials and politicians.

However, the unprecedented street rally was prompted by the medical professors' continuation of the walkout since late February that has disrupted major hospitals, including surgery cancellations and delays despite a court rejecting an injunction filed by the medical community to stop the government's plan to increase the medical school admissions quota by 2,000 for next year.

A notice of closure is posted at Asan Medical Center as medical professors begin to cut down medical treatment availability, Thursday. Yonhap

Kim Jung-ae, 68, whose daughter suffers from Cornelia de Lange syndrome — a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body — attended the rally, criticizing the use of patients' lives as leverage points in conflicts between the government and the medical sector.

"Patients just want an environment where they can receive care when they are sick," Kim said.

"Principles must be established to ensure that patients never have to live in fear again."

The groups demanded that the medical community end the indefinite walkout and called on the government and the National Assembly to enact legislation to prevent future occurrences.

They also emphasized the need for laws ensuring that essential medical services, such as those in emergency rooms, intensive care units and delivery rooms, continue uninterrupted during any future collective actions by medical personnel.

Many patients directly affected by the doctors' strike expressed their anxiety.

Cho Eun-hee, 63, a breast cancer patient, shared with The Korea Times that her treatment and tests have been delayed for over three months.

"Even though my situation isn't critical, the delay causes anxiety because I need regular treatment," she said.

Kim Sun-kyung, diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer just a few days before the strike began, said, "Even though I have a stomachache and need to receive cancer treatment tomorrow, I came hoping the strike would end soon."

She added, "I am very scared. I have to wait a long time for treatment, but the time with the doctor is very short. Both doctors and the government must consider patients first."

Oh Sun-hye, a Type 1 diabetes patient, recently faced difficulties booking a surgery. She had to travel to North Jeolla Province as no hospital in Seoul could accommodate her.

"These days, I can't get a surgical reservation at a university hospital, and I'm behind on my medication," Oh said.

Meanwhile, Asan Medical Center began reducing its medical services on Thursday. Medical professors at Korea University and Chungbuk National University have announced plans to start walkouts on July 12 and July 26, respectively.

Doctors at Severance Hospital, Gangnam Severance Hospital and Yongin Severance Hospital have been suspending outpatient treatments, non-emergency surgeries and other services since late last month.