Sharp Increase in Use of "Disability-Friendly Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics"... Close Support from Pregnancy to Delivery

The environment for women with disabilities who previously had to give up obstetric and gynecological care due to barriers to hospital access is changing. The number of users of “disability-friendly obstetrics and gynecology clinics,” which are operated at three locations in Seoul, rose sharply from 55 in their inaugural year of 2023 to 159 in 2024, and then to 289 in 2025.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government on April 19, the city has established a customized medical system through the operation of these clinics, supporting the entire process from appointment to examination and delivery. Disability-friendly obstetrics and gynecology clinics have been operating at three sites: Seoul National University Hospital (since May 2023), Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital (since March 2024), and St. Mary’s Hospital (since October 2024).

Obstetrics and gynecology clinic accommodating disabilities at Seoul National University Hospital. Seoul City

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Upon reviewing user data, it was found that these clinics have become essential medical hubs, providing gynecological care for women with disabilities of all ages, not only for pregnancy and childbirth. Of the users, those with physical or brain disabilities accounted for 48.1%, followed by intellectual or developmental disabilities at 28.0%, and other disabilities at 23.9%. The clinics are mainly utilized by patients who experience difficulty moving or communicating, making it hard for them to access general medical institutions.

In particular, among the 289 users in 2025, 230 (79.5%) were people with severe disabilities, indicating that the clinics have greatly improved access to healthcare for women with severe disabilities. By age group, those in their 30s accounted for the largest share at 35.3%, followed by those aged 50 or older (29.1%), and those in their 40s (28.7%). This shows that the clinics address not only the needs related to pregnancy and childbirth but also the overall demand for gynecological care among middle-aged and older women with disabilities.

Among 11 childbirth cases, 7 involved women with severe disabilities. There was also a high proportion of high-risk cases, including two cases of preterm birth and one mother with a history of kidney transplantation. The disability-friendly obstetrics and gynecology clinics provide specialized care and delivery services for high-risk expectant mothers, whom general medical institutions may find difficult to accommodate.

One of the biggest differences between these clinics and general hospitals is the presence of “disability-friendly coordinators,” who provide close support throughout the entire process from appointment to examination and facilitate customized communication, including sign language interpretation. In addition, the clinics regularly provide training to medical staff to deepen their understanding of disabilities and have established a specialized care environment that takes the characteristics of disabilities into careful consideration.

Furthermore, for high-risk patients with underlying conditions, the clinics operate a cooperative care system involving specialists from relevant departments to enhance treatment safety, and they respond quickly to high-risk deliveries and emergencies. Specialized equipment such as advanced ultrasound and genetic testing is used to identify fetal conditions and risk factors early, and integrated care is provided from prenatal to postnatal stages. Counseling regarding the possibility of genetic transmission of disabilities is also offered to support safe childbirth.

Jo Youngchang, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Citizens' Health Bureau, stated, “We have created an environment in which women with disabilities, who previously faced discomfort in accessing obstetric care due to mobility issues or the need for sign language interpretation, can now receive care more comfortably, and the number of users is increasing every year. We will continue to expand the number of designated hospitals and strengthen our customized care system, in close cooperation with medical institutions, to provide services that carefully consider the unique needs of women with disabilities.”

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