Pediatric Patients Unable to Access Emergency Rooms Nationwide... "Threat to Children's Lives"

Joint Press Conference of Pediatric and Adolescent Societies and Organizations
Emergency Room Closures, Staff Shortages Lead to Hospital Hopping
"Fire Station Exists but No Firefighters Present"
Urgent Appeal for Prompt Measures

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwanju] #1. A university hospital in Ulsan closed its pediatric ward last September and has been unable to admit inpatients. Recently, a professor retired due to health reasons, and there are no residents available, leaving no medical staff to cover on duty. Without even securing an attending physician for inpatient care, an indefinite suspension of treatment continues.

#2. In the Chungcheong region, a 7-year-old patient with complex febrile seizures visited a university hospital emergency room but was transferred to a children's hospital. The patient arrived at the emergency room via the 119 ambulance, but due to a shortage of medical staff causing treatment delays, the patient eventually returned to the children's hospital outpatient clinic by 119 ambulance. Fortunately, the patient was discharged after inpatient treatment.

#3. In the Honam region, university hospitals are also continuing to suspend pediatric care. One university hospital is currently closing its pediatric emergency room during daytime hours and is considering a full emergency room closure next year. Patients without prior notice are even being denied entry to the emergency room by the emergency medicine department.

The Korean Pediatric Society, the Korean Pediatric Association, and the Korean Children's Hospital Association held a joint press conference on the 16th at the Korean Medical Association Hall in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, titled "Joint Press Conference to Overcome the Crisis of the Pediatric and Adolescent Health Safety Net Collapse." Photo by Lee Gwan-ju

The crisis of pediatric and adolescent care collapse is threatening children's lives. Delays in treatment and even actual deaths have occurred as pediatric and adolescent emergency care disruptions have spread not only in provincial areas but also in metropolitan hospitals.

At a joint press conference held on the 16th at the Korean Medical Association building in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, hosted by the Korean Pediatric Society, the Korean Pediatric Association, and the Korean Children's Hospital Association, some cases of pediatric and adolescent care collapse were disclosed.

The pediatric and adolescent medical community warned that if this situation continues, within the next 2 to 3 years, the closure of university hospital pediatric and adolescent emergency rooms and inpatient wards will accelerate, leading to a phenomenon of 'inpatient refugees.' There is also concern that non-specialist treatment of emergency patients will become widespread, and the burden on children's hospitals will increase due to the generalization of severe patient care. Especially, the voices from the medical field warn that an irreversible collapse of the pediatric care system may occur due to the decrease in specialists.

Im Hyuntaek, president of the Korean Pediatric Association, stated, "If a child's febrile seizure lasts more than 15 to 20 minutes, brain damage can occur, and if it exceeds 30 minutes, it can be fatal. Yet, even in the heart of Seoul, a 'disaster situation' is occurring where no hospital can be found, delaying treatment," and pointed out, "It is very concerning whether there is even a single hospital nationwide, including Seoul, that can accept children."

Park Yangdong, president of the Korean Children's Hospital Association, also appealed, "There are fire stations, but no firefighters to put out the fire. The lives of children in the Republic of Korea are at risk," adding, "If alternatives are not quickly established soon, we will face an extremely difficult situation."

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