Gyeonggi-do Expands 'Dalbit Children's Hospital' for Nighttime and Holiday Care of Mild Pediatric Patients

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province will operate a total of nine "Dalbit Children's Hospitals" by designating two additional facilities that provide nighttime and holiday medical services for mild pediatric patients.

On the 12th, Gyeonggi Province announced that it recently held the "Dalbit Children's Hospital Designation Review Committee," composed of public officials and medical personnel, and designated Hwaseong Dongtan Seongmo Hospital and Best Kids Hospital as new Dalbit Children's Hospitals.

Dalbit Children's Hospitals provide medical services for mild pediatric patients under the age of 18 during nighttime and holidays.

To alleviate emergency room overcrowding and reduce patient inconvenience and cost burdens, a single hospital or clinic with at least three attending physicians (excluding tertiary general hospitals) is designated.

Each designated hospital also operates one to two affiliated pharmacies, allowing patients to receive both medical treatment and medication.

Patients only need to pay 13,000 KRW, about one-third of the cost compared to emergency rooms. Designated Dalbit Children's Hospitals receive health insurance fee compensation, such as 11,602 KRW per person for nighttime medical management fees (clinic level).

Since 2017, starting with Pyeongtaek Seongse Kids Hospital and Goyang Ilsan Wooridle Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic, Gyeonggi Province has designated a total of nine hospitals, including the two in Hwaseong this time.

Although detailed operating hours vary by institution, they generally open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.

The province plans to expand the number of newly designated hospitals annually, considering the increasing demand for Dalbit Children's Hospital services.

The usage records of Dalbit Children's Hospitals in the province were 71,040 cases in 2018, 133,359 cases in 2021, and 217,252 cases as of June 2022.

Ryu Young-cheol, Director of the Provincial Health and Wellness Bureau, said, "About half of domestic pediatric emergency room users over the past three years were mild patients. By expanding Dalbit Children's Hospitals, we aim to alleviate emergency room overcrowding and reduce patient inconvenience." He promised, "Next year, we will designate additional hospitals in cities and counties without Dalbit Children's Hospitals to reduce medical blind spots."

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