Gyeonggi Province to Actively Respond to 'Pediatric Medical Care Gap'

[Suwon Ilbo=Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province has taken active measures to address pediatric medical care amid growing concerns about gaps due to declining pediatric physician workforce.

The province revealed on the 6th the background of its "Gyeonggi Province Pediatric Night and Holiday Medical Care Improvement Plan," as a decline in pediatric physicians nationwide, aging population, and avoidance of pediatric care have led to a concentration of pediatric emergency patients at large hospitals, causing fatigue among medical staff and workforce exodus. The province is expanding 13 'Pediatric Emergency Designated Hospitals' capable of providing 24-hour severe pediatric emergency care.

First, the 'Pediatric Emergency Designated Hospitals' went through a public recruitment process in January, with four hospitals selected: Bundang CHA Hospital, Myongji Hospital, Ajou University Hospital, and Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital, one for each region. The province will provide a total budget of 4.2 billion won to enable these hospitals to operate emergency rooms for 24-hour severe pediatric emergency patients. Based on this budget, the hospitals can hire dedicated pediatric emergency physicians and improve working conditions for dedicated staff. Bundang CHA Hospital will begin operations in May, while Myongji Hospital, Ajou University Hospital, and Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital plan to complete additional hiring and begin full-scale operations in June.

'Moonlight Children's Hospitals' were also expanded to two additional facilities in April. Moonlight Children's Hospitals are facilities that provide medical services to mild pediatric patients under 18 years old during night hours and holidays. Patients only pay an average of 17,000 won in medical fees compared to the emergency room average of approximately 78,000 won. Starting with Pyeongtaek Sungse Children's Hospital and Goyang Ilsan Woori Children's and Adolescent Medical Clinic in 2017, a total of 21 facilities are currently operating as of this year.

Finally, starting this year, the province newly designated seven 'Gyeonggi Province Pediatric Night and Holiday Medical Care Facilities in Underserved Areas.' The 'Gyeonggi Province Pediatric Night and Holiday Medical Care Facilities in Underserved Areas' are medical institutions that do not meet the Moonlight Children's Hospital selection criteria (single clinic or hospital with three or more medical practitioners, operating until 24:00 on weekdays, etc.), but receive operating subsidies to provide night and holiday care for three weekdays from 6-9 p.m. and six hours on holidays.

The province published a total of 32 facilities on its website on the 3rd: △4 Pediatric Emergency Designated Hospitals △21 Moonlight Children's Hospitals △7 Pediatric Night and Holiday Medical Care Facilities in Underserved Areas.

Yoo Young-chul, Director of the Public Health and Health Division, said, "The designation of Pediatric Emergency Designated Hospitals will strengthen medical capacity for severe pediatric emergency patients, and further expansion of Moonlight Children's Hospitals and pediatric night and holiday care facilities will eliminate medical blind spots for pediatric care." He added, "Going forward, we will continue to work to improve the pediatric emergency medical care system in accordance with residents' expectations so that both children and parents can always feel assured."