Imsil-gun Selected for 'Maternity Vulnerable Areas Obstetrics and Gynecology Support Project' Contest

Published 06 May.2022 13:55(KST)

[Imsil=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Nosik] Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk announced on the 6th that it has been selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s public contest project, the ‘2022 Support Project for Obstetrics and Gynecology in Delivery-Vulnerable Areas.’

This contest is a project that supports facilities and equipment costs to establish and operate obstetrics and gynecology departments capable of delivery in vulnerable areas without such departments.

The county applied for the project by selecting Imsil Hospital (Medical Corporation Iru Medical Foundation), the only hospital in Imsil-gun, as the medical institution to carry out the project.

As a result, among 48 delivery-vulnerable areas nationwide (2 applied for the contest), Imsil-gun was selected.

Accordingly, a total project budget of 1.25 billion KRW (including provincial and county funds), including 625 million KRW in national funds, was secured, and an annual project operation fund of 500 million KRW will also be supported.

The county and Imsil Hospital plan to start construction in September, proceed with renovation of existing facilities, purchase equipment, and recruit personnel, and begin medical treatment, delivery, and health projects in March next year.

With the establishment of an obstetrics and gynecology department capable of delivery in the county, pregnant women who had to travel to other cities or counties for prenatal checkups and delivery will reduce their time and economic losses.

It is also expected to contribute to protecting the lives of mothers and fetuses in sudden emergency delivery situations.

The county has made many efforts to increase the birth rate.

As a result of efforts to raise the birth rate, such as increasing the childbirth incentive from 3 million KRW to 5 million KRW for the second child starting this year and providing 500,000 KRW for postpartum care expenses, the total fertility rate of Imsil-gun in 2021 ranked second among cities and counties nationwide at 1.81.

Kim Daegon, Director of the Health and Medical Center, said, “If we have an obstetrics and gynecology department equipped to meet the increased childbirth demand, the county will become an even better place to have children and live.”