Nighttime and Holiday Pediatric Care Now Available in All Regions of Jeonnam

New Dalbit Children’s Hospital Designated in the Western Region
Nighttime Pediatric Care Also Strengthened in the Eastern and Central Regions

Jeonnam Province is expanding its nighttime and holiday pediatric care system across all regions to address the gap in pediatric medical services. The province is accelerating the creation of a child-friendly environment by establishing a regionally tailored medical care system.

According to Jeonnam Province on April 23, due to disparities in medical infrastructure between regions, several cities and counties in Jeonnam have lacked medical institutions capable of treating children with mild conditions or emergencies at night or on holidays, causing significant inconvenience to guardians.

To address this, Jeonnam Province has continuously worked to improve the practical operating structure of nighttime and holiday pediatric and adolescent care. This has involved proposing institutional improvements to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, securing funding through public projects, and holding ongoing consultations with medical institutions and regional medical associations to enhance the care system. As a result, healthcare infrastructure in each region has been significantly strengthened.

In the western region, Mokpo Miz-i Hospital was newly designated as a Dalbit Children’s Hospital, filling the gap in nighttime medical care. In the eastern region, the number of facilities increased from three (two in Suncheon and one in Gwangyang) to five with the addition of Cham Joeun Union Clinic and Cham Joeun Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic in Yeosu, improving accessibility.

In the central region, NH Mirae Children’s Hospital in Naju Innovation City was selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s public project to foster nighttime clinics in underserved areas. This has provided a foundation for nighttime pediatric treatment throughout the entire province.

Jeonnam Province Pediatric Night Treatment System Establishment Guide Map. [Photo by Jeonnam Province]

Going forward, Jeonnam Province plans to further minimize gaps in pediatric and adolescent care by expanding the operation and designation of Dalbit Children’s Hospitals, additionally establishing regional maternal and child medical centers (NICU), and requesting increased budget support from central government agencies.

Jeong Gwangseon, Director of Health and Welfare at Jeonnam Province, stated, “The most worrying moment for parents is when their child gets sick at night, and we are now able to alleviate some of that concern,” adding, “We will continue to strengthen the pediatric care environment in ways that residents can truly feel.”

Meanwhile, Jeonnam Province has implemented various projects to improve emergency and pediatric care throughout the region, including: providing 6 billion won in medical equipment support to 22 emergency medical institutions in underserved areas; 400 million won to seven Dalbit Children’s Hospitals; 100 million won to one nighttime pediatric clinic in an underserved area; 5.8 billion won in operating cost support to 45 emergency medical institutions; 4.4 billion won for doctor helicopter operations; and 400 million won for dispatching seven nurses to underserved areas.

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