Jeonnam National University Hospital Registers 10,000th Advance Medical Directive

Seo Jaegil, the 10,000th registrant of the Advance Directive for Life-Sustaining Treatment. Provided by Jeonnam National University Hospital.

Jeonnam National University Hospital has achieved a meaningful milestone by becoming the first institution in the Gwangju and Jeonnam region to register its 10,000th Advance Medical Directive.

On August 19 at 2 p.m., Jeonnam National University Hospital held a commemorative ceremony in the executive meeting room on the first floor of the Biomedical Research Support Center. The event was attended by Kim Gwangseok, Deputy Director of Public Affairs; Yoon Hyeonju, Head of the Public Health Medical Project Office; Kim Hoyoung, Head of the Public Health Medical Project Team; and Seo Jaegil (61), the 10,000th registrant.

An Advance Medical Directive is a system that allows adults aged 19 and older to document their intention not to receive life-sustaining treatment (such as CPR or mechanical ventilation) during the dying process, regardless of their current health status. Through this, patients can choose a dignified death for themselves, while their families can respect the patient's wishes and minimize conflicts regarding the direction of treatment.

Seo, the 10,000th registrant, visited the hospital with his wife for her appointment on the morning of August 13. Both he and his wife completed Advance Medical Directives, becoming the 10,000th and 10,001st registrants, respectively.

Seo stated, "I have always thought that registering an Advance Medical Directive was something I must do. Rather than prolonging life artificially, I wanted to end my life with dignity in front of my family. In particular, when my mother passed away in 2023, she had completed an Advance Medical Directive and died with dignity. Seeing that, I resolved to register as well."

In November 2018, Jeonnam National University Hospital was designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as an Advance Medical Directive registration institution in accordance with Article 11 of the “Act on Hospice, Palliative Care, and Decisions on Life-Sustaining Treatment for Patients in the Dying Process.” Achieving the 10,000th registration in about seven years is especially significant, as the hospital is the third among national university hospitals nationwide and the first among the 69 registration institutions in the Gwangju and Jeonnam region to reach this milestone.

Ten Advance Medical Directive counselors, hired as part of senior employment programs, and staff from the Public Health Medical Project Team at Jeonnam National University Hospital actively promoted the directive within the hospital, at clinics, and at various events. Their efforts to encourage sign-ups enabled the hospital to reach the 10,000th registration in a relatively short period.

Kim Gwangseok, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at Jeonnam National University Hospital, stated, "The 10,000th registration of an Advance Medical Directive is not just a number; it is a meaningful symbol that our community members are preparing for the end of life with dignity and respect. Jeonnam National University Hospital will continue to actively support each patient’s right to make their own choices and help families accompany their loved ones on their final journey with love and peace."

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