Seoul City and Seoul National University Hospital Establish 'Seoul Disaster Hospital' Dedicated to Severe COVID-19 Patients

Seoul City Temporarily Provides Site for Wonji-dong Comprehensive Medical Facility... Modular Facility to Operate by End of March
48 Beds Dedicated to Severe Patients... Convertible to 96 General COVID-19 Beds

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seoul National University Hospital will establish the 'Seoul Disaster Hospital' on a 19,720㎡ site of a comprehensive medical facility in Wonji-dong, Seocho-gu, to quickly secure dedicated beds for severe COVID-19 patients. Instead of a permanent building, a modular facility will be constructed, with installation expected to be completed and operational by the end of March at the latest.

On the afternoon of the 12th, Seoul announced at Seoul City Hall that Acting Mayor Seo Jeong-hyeop and Kim Yeon-su, Director of Seoul National University Hospital, will sign a 'Business Agreement for the Establishment of Seoul Disaster Hospital' based on this plan.

Accordingly, 48 modular dedicated beds equipped with negative pressure facilities for severe patients will be created. These beds will be converted to general COVID-19 beds (96 beds) depending on the number of severe patients during the COVID-19 situation.

While temporary beds have been installed on unused hospital grounds in the past, this is the first time beds dedicated solely to COVID-19 treatment are being installed on a separate site.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will provide the site free of charge for one year for the temporary hospital installation, and Seoul National University Hospital will allocate the necessary budget and medical staff. The Wonji-dong site was originally discussed as a relocation site for the National Medical Center, and since the site is already designated as a comprehensive medical facility (urban planning facility), it is expected that the installation of the Seoul Disaster Hospital can proceed quickly.

The two organizations have continuously cooperated on securing beds and patient treatment through the 'Seoul Disaster Medical Council,' a public-private governance system for rapid infectious disease response, and this agreement is expected to strengthen the securing of dedicated beds and intensive care for severe patients.

Acting Mayor Seo said, "We will strengthen cooperation with Seoul National University Hospital to proactively secure dedicated beds for severe COVID-19 patients and establish a meticulous treatment system," adding, "We hope this business agreement will serve as a model for expanding public and private medical systems in response to national disasters such as infectious diseases."

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