"Filling the Care Gap"... Pediatric Nighttime and Holiday Hospitals Designated in Medically Underserved Areas

The number of hospitals available late at night or on holidays for children in medically underserved areas is set to increase.

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On April 13, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it had selected 14 medical institutions to participate in the "Support Program for Pediatric Nighttime and Holiday Medical Institutions in Underserved Areas," targeting regions where the "Moonlight Children's Hospital" program is not currently operating. These institutions will now begin providing medical care.

The selected institutions by region are Ilsin Christian Hospital and W365 Medical Clinic in Busan; 21st Century United Pediatric Clinic in Daegu; Aisarang 365 Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic and Danaeun 365 Clinic in Incheon; Rainbow United Clinic and Suji Dodam Pediatric Clinic in Gyeonggi Province; Taebaek Hospital of Korea Workers' Compensation & Welfare Service, Sokcho Medical Center, and Yeongwol Medical Center in Gangwon Province; Hyoksin St. Mary’s Hospital in North Chungcheong Province; NH Mirae Children's Hospital in South Jeolla Province; Yeongcheon J Hospital in North Gyeongsang Province; and Namhae Hospital in South Gyeongsang Province.

Unlike the existing Moonlight Children's Hospital program, which requires pediatric care seven days a week from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on holidays, the newly selected institutions can set their nighttime and holiday service hours flexibly-up to 20 hours per week-in consultation with local governments.

The government will provide each selected institution with 120 million won per year in operating funds, with 50% from the national government and 50% from local governments. The aim is for these institutions to gain experience in providing nighttime and holiday pediatric care and establish a foundation to eventually transition into regular Moonlight Children's Hospitals.

The 14 selected medical institutions will begin nighttime and holiday services sequentially within this month as they become ready, with all institutions expected to be fully operational by May next year. The Ministry of Health and Welfare also plans to conduct an additional round of selection in the second half of this year to further expand support for pediatric nighttime and holiday care.

Lee Jungkyu, Director of Public Health Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "It is an important task to create an environment where children can receive medical care with peace of mind even in areas with lower access to essential medical services due to population decline. The government, local authorities, and community hospitals and clinics will work together to improve the local healthcare system and strengthen the pediatric care infrastructure, thereby protecting patients' health rights and contributing to better living conditions in these regions."

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