Wonjong Park of Jeonnam Provincial Council: "Parents Must Be Able to Raise Their Children"

Only Four Dalbit Children's Hospitals in Jeonnam Highlighted
Many Parents Still Struggle to Find Medical Care
"Creating an Environment Where Families Don't Worry When Children Are Sick" Stressed

Wonjong Park, Member of Jeonnam Provincial Council

Wonjong Park, a member of the Education Committee of the Jeonnam Provincial Council from the Democratic Party of Korea (Yeonggwang 1), recently raised concerns about regional disparities in support for the operation of Dalbit Children's Hospitals during the review of Jeonnam Province's main budget for 2026. He urged the expansion of eligible hospitals and the establishment of effective support measures.

Park stated, "Dalbit Children's Hospitals are an essential medical safety net for families raising children, yet there are currently only four in Jeonnam. Parents of infants and young children repeatedly face situations where they must travel long distances at night to seek medical care."

He further pointed out, "In the current deficit structure, where hospitals and clinics must shoulder fixed costs such as doctors' salaries, it is impossible for new institutions to participate. Simply waiting for interested institutions makes not only expansion but even maintenance difficult. Substantial supplementary measures are needed to encourage participation," highlighting the limitations of the current operational structure.

In response, Jeong Gwangseon, Director of Health and Welfare, replied, "We recognize the significant financial burden on operating institutions and are considering various measures, such as holding meetings between hospitals and clinics and introducing a joint operation model, to implement the program in the western region."

Park emphasized that Dalbit Children's Hospitals are not just a medical service, but a 'decisive factor that enables families to raise children in Jeonnam.'

He said, "If parents have to drive for two hours in the middle of the night holding a two- or three-year-old child to get to a hospital, they ultimately have no choice but to leave the region. Creating an environment where people do not have to worry when their children are sick is the true population policy."

Finally, Park reiterated, "Just as Jeonnam was the first in the nation to successfully establish public postpartum care centers, the province can also take the lead in expanding Dalbit Children's Hospitals. Jeonnam must make it a top priority to create an environment where children can be raised well."

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