Postpartum Care Centers Restrict Work for Suspected Infectious Disease Patients

Closure Orders for Pregnant Women and Infants in Case of Death

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Infection control measures for postpartum care center workers will be strengthened. This is a measure to protect the health of pregnant women and newborns with weakened immune systems as the occurrence of infectious diseases in postpartum care centers continues to increase.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that a partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Maternal and Child Health Act, which restricts the work of workers suspected of having diseases that may harm others, was approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 7th. If a postpartum care center worker is diagnosed as an infectious disease patient or suspected patient, their work will be restricted until they receive a diagnosis confirming that related symptoms and transmission possibilities have disappeared.

Detailed disciplinary standards for administrative measures and fines have also been established in cases where postpartum care providers fail to take measures to prevent infection or disease or fail to implement measures to prevent disease spread. For example, if a postpartum care center worker contracts an infectious disease or is diagnosed as a suspected patient and does not notify the postpartum care provider, a fine of 1 million won will be imposed. If a pregnant woman or infant dies or suffers serious bodily harm, a closure order will be issued.

The number of infectious disease cases occurring in postpartum care centers that collectively care for pregnant women and infants has been increasing every year. It rose from 414 cases in 2015 to 489 in 2016, 491 in 2017, and 510 in 2018, showing an upward trend each year. The main infectious diseases occurring are respiratory syncytial virus (RSV, 32.8%), rotavirus (23.2%), and common cold (17.7%).

Ko Deuk-young, Director of Population and Child Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, “Through this amendment to the enforcement decree, we expect to create an environment where pregnant women and infants can safely and healthily receive postpartum care.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.