Gyeonggi Province to Integrate Operation of Six Municipal Public Medical Centers

Gyeonggi Province has decided to integrate six municipal public medical centers in Suwon, Anseong, Icheon, Uijeongbu, Geumchon, and Pocheon, and operate them as a single corporation starting July 1.

The province made this decision because the six medical centers, which share the same goals but operate as independent organizations, have been experiencing worsening management difficulties. Their deficits have increased from approximately 5 billion won in 2003 to 8 billion won in 2004, making it difficult to provide quality medical services.

To this end, the province will establish headquarters at the current Suwon Medical Center and invest 41.677 billion won through 2006 to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment and increase the number of beds. These efforts aim to bring the municipal public medical centers to the level of university hospitals through improved management systems, facility and equipment modernization, and the application of incentives and penalties for medical personnel.

The names of the medical centers will also change. For example, Suwon's center will change from "Municipal Public Suwon Medical Center" to "Gyeonggi Provincial Public Medical Center Suwon Hospital."

In particular, Suwon, Anseong, and Icheon hospitals will strengthen functions related to geriatric, psychiatric, emergency, and rehabilitation care, while Uijeongbu, Geumchon, and Pocheon hospitals will strengthen functions related to long-term care, emergency, and mental health services. These specialized projects will reflect regional medical needs.
Additionally, the province will establish networks with public health centers to strengthen public medical services and increase free medical screenings for vulnerable populations.

To strengthen emergency medical services, the province will invest a total of 1.643 billion won in emergency room equipment and facilities: Suwon Hospital 240 million won, Uijeongbu Hospital 349 million won, Icheon Hospital 320 million won, Anseong Hospital 156 million won, Geumchon Hospital 290 million won, and Pocheon Hospital 288 million won.

The following is the specialization plan for Suwon Medical Center.

▲Geriatric Care: Establishment of 200 long-term care beds, opening of geriatric rehabilitation center, opening of geriatric day care center

▲Psychiatric and Rehabilitation: Establishment of 100 psychiatric beds, expansion of rehabilitation therapy services utilizing the geriatric rehabilitation center

▲Emergency Care: Maintenance of current weekend and night-time medical services