Professor Lee Ju-yeon of Jeonnam National University Hospital: "Proud to be the only pediatric surgeon specialist in Gwangju and Jeonnam"

Fewer Than 50 Specialists Nationwide Handle Nearly All Pediatric Surgical Fields

Urgent Need for National Measures in Essential Medical Areas Like Surgery, Obstetrics, and Pediatrics

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] “As the only pediatric surgeon in the Gwangju and Jeonnam region, I work almost every day with night surgeries and come in on weekends. It is tough, but I feel pride and fulfillment in my work.”

Professor Lee Ju-yeon (43), who is in charge of the pediatric surgery department at Jeonnam National University Hospital, said, “The pediatric surgery field covers many areas of surgical treatment for children, so there is no time to be bored. However, since there is no other specialist to cover this field in my absence, a national-level plan for essential medical services is absolutely necessary.”

Pediatric surgery deals with surgeries for children and adolescents under 18 years old who are born with deformities or disabilities or who require surgery due to major accidents.

It specializes in surgical treatments for congenital malformations such as esophageal atresia, anal atresia, and diaphragmatic hernia, as well as trauma from accidents, hernias, tumors, and organ transplants. Recently, interest in pediatric surgeons has increased due to news that a pediatric patient suspected of having appendicitis (commonly known as appendicitis) was unable to receive treatment in this region and was transferred to Chungnam National University Hospital in Daejeon.

Professor Lee said, “I heard about the appendicitis patient late as well. Jeonnam National University Hospital’s operating rooms were fully booked, so surgery was not possible, and I was attending a conference in Seoul at the time. Nationwide, there are very few pediatric surgeons, so it is regrettable that such incidents may happen again in the future.”

After completing her bachelor's degree at Jeonnam National University College of Medicine, Professor Lee earned her master's and doctorate degrees at Ulsan University College of Medicine. She completed her training and clinical instructor period at Asan Medical Center in Seoul before being appointed at Jeonnam National University Hospital. The reason she chose pediatric surgery among many surgical fields is precisely because of the poor conditions in the Gwangju and Jeonnam region.

With almost no specialists in pediatric surgery in the region, Professor Lee wanted to elevate the pediatric surgery department at Jeonnam National University Hospital to the highest national level.

Professor Lee’s pediatric surgery specialist number is 73. Excluding specialists who have retired, there are fewer than 50 nationwide. Even if she wants to find successors, only one or two people apply for pediatric surgery specialization each year, so expectations are low.

Professor Lee said, “The birth rate is decreasing every year, so the number of pediatric patients is rapidly declining. Even when performing highly difficult surgeries that take a long time, the medical fees are so low that residents are reluctant to apply. The burden of operating on children is great, and the surgeries themselves are very demanding, but there is no compensation commensurate with the effort, so fewer people want to enter pediatric surgery.”

She performs night and weekend surgeries without hesitation for the flood of patients coming from the region, but she works with pride not only as a mother of an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old daughter but also as the only pediatric surgeon in the area.

Professor Lee said, “It would be a lie to say it’s not hard, but I try to enjoy each day by learning something new so that it doesn’t become boring. I will work to increase both manpower and skills like the pediatric surgery departments in large hospitals in Seoul, so that I can be a ray of hope for pediatric surgery patients in this region.”

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