Bitgoeul Jeonnam National University Hospital Holds 8th Anniversary Ceremony

Hospital Director Park Yong-wook vows "to transform into a 9-ward hospital and a dedicated COVID-19 base hospital"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Bitgoeul Jeonnam National University Hospital (Director Park Yong-wook) has pledged to be reborn as the 9th ward of Jeonnam National University Hospital and a dedicated COVID-19 base hospital.

Bitgoeul Jeonnam National University Hospital announced on the 20th that it held its 8th anniversary ceremony on the 16th.

The opening ceremony was held in compliance with COVID-19 quarantine rules, with about 50 guests including Ahn Young-geun, Director of Jeonnam National University Hospital, Park Yong-hyun, Standing Auditor, Lee Jae-hyuk, Dean of Jeonnam National University College of Medicine, and Lee Dal-ju, Director of Welfare and Health Bureau of Gwangju Metropolitan City.

Director Park Yong-wook said, "Since the outbreak of COVID-19 and being designated as a dedicated COVID-19 hospital by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, we have been operating stably for three years despite difficult circumstances. Now, as we prepare to be selected as the first dedicated COVID-19 base hospital in Gwangju and Jeonnam, we will turn this crisis into an opportunity."

Bitgoeul Jeonnam National University Hospital is currently an infectious disease dedicated hospital but is coordinating with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to be selected as the first dedicated base hospital in Gwangju and Jeonnam.

A dedicated base hospital refers to a facility optimized for infection prevention with specialized response capabilities, expanding beds for critical, semi-critical, and moderate COVID-19 patients.

Currently, 32 institutions nationwide have been designated, but none have been designated in the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions yet.

Bitgoeul Jeonnam National University Hospital plans to convert the 9th ward of its main hospital, Hakdong Jeonnam National University Hospital.

Although Bitgoeul Hospital provides medical services at the level of the medical staff of the main hospital, which is a tertiary general hospital, it suffers losses due to the application of lower medical fees at the general hospital level. Therefore, becoming the 9th ward will allow recognition as a tertiary general hospital.

Director Park emphasized, "We are steadily preparing as a dedicated base hospital, such as opening a short-term outpatient clinic in anticipation of the increase in COVID-19 patients receiving home treatment. Once it becomes the 9th ward of Jeonnam National University Hospital, stable hospital operation will be possible, and we will move toward becoming the world's best specialized medical center through the best treatment and research."

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