Deceased professor’s e-mails reveal his ‘loneliness’ in TB research
The news that Koh Won-jung, a professor of the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Samsung Medical Center, took his own life saddened the medical community in the summer this year. People lamented that “the star of the Korean medical community has fallen.” Koh not only made great achievements but drew much anticipation for his future research outcomes.
Physicians said it was hard to believe that he killed himself because he had more passion for patient care and research than anyone else. Just before he died, he was about to have a fresh start after 18 years of work at Samsung Medical Center.
Koh was exhausted. He worked day and night for 18 years and became an authority in the field of tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). However, the for-profit system at the hospital did not support him.
http://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=7023
Please let me argue that this case is not an exception, but an event part of a worrying intensifying trend. Increasing privatiozation and deregulation of healthcare markets in Europe and beyond lead to this kind of outcomes:
Rachel Tansey (2017). " The creeping privatisation of healthcare - Problematic EU policies and the corporate lobby push" Corporate Europe Observatory Brussels, 2/6/2017, Available at: https://corporateeurope.org/en/power-lobbies/2017/06/creeping-privatisation-healthcare
One of the side-effects is that private owners might want people to work for less salary but with more workload. A giant actor in the sector recognized the problem: Ana Maria Sedletchi (2019). " 5 things you should know about burnout " - a webinar with Dr. Susana Banerjee at Elsevier Researcher Academy, October 14, 2019 Available at: https://www.elsevier.com/connect/5-things-you-should-know-about-burnout
I would rather quit a workplace than become ill as a result od stress. This case of the professor in question should have never happened! - there might be factors that are not open to the public... Yours sincerely, Bulcsu Szekely
It is very shocking news for every one in research, especially in the field of TB.
This sad demise is not only a loss for his family, but also for the world. I don't have any words to express my thoughts for the loss of knowledge and wisdom which accumulated over the years in the field by his constant efforts. A researcher or philosopher can only understand such a great loss for mankind.
I see that, the field medicine/clinical/hospital transformed from service with passion mind set to business with corporate mind set within three or four decades . The gradual decline from the high standard service mind set to corporate businesses narrowed the vision of the administrative people in high command of each institution. The output of an institution or tangible benefits are always assessed in the value of money rather than service or soul satisfaction of workers/employees/researcher and finally institutional policies. This trend in observed in almost every field. Hence, The "high profit mind set" of hospital industry is the major reason for this worst decision made by Prof. Koh.
This incident must be considered as "high alert" and appropriate preventive measures are required to put an end for such sad decisions in future. Further, its too late to stop the progression of privatization in health sector across the globe. However, it can be regularized via strong policies and legal regulations by respective government.
Nobody celebrated him that much until he died. This is one negative side of this intellectual property
Dear Dr. Catia Cillóniz
Best discussion.
Best regards
Dear dr. Narayanan Kalyanaraman
I agree with you.
Best regards
Dear dr. Bulcsu Szekely
Very good contribution.
Best regards
Dear dr. Anastas Ivanov Ivanov
Best contribution
Best Regards
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