South Korea will start deploying military physicians and doctors from public health centers to hospitals this Monday.

To help care for patients affected by the walkout of nearly 12,000 trainee doctors from 100 hospitals over government reform plans.

Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said at a meeting on Sundaythat Twenty military surgeons along with 138 public health doctors will be assigned to 20 hospitals for four weeks

The government has denied the walkout which started on Feb. 20 has caused a full-blown health crisis but some hospitals have had to turn away patients and delay medical procedures.