Chungnam, On-Site Implementation of 119 Emergency Ambulance Service for Pregnant Women... Surpassed 7,000 Cases Last Year

[Asia Economy (Naepo) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The ‘Pregnant Women 119 Ambulance Service’ in Chungnam is becoming well-established on the ground. This service was first introduced nationwide in Chungnam and has become a representative model for overcoming the local low birthrate crisis.

According to the Chungnam Fire Headquarters on the 18th, the number of uses of the Pregnant Women 119 Ambulance Service last year totaled 7,054 cases. This is about 1,000 more than the 6,049 cases in 2020, and compared to 687 cases in 2019, it is a figure that has increased more than tenfold in three years.

Last year, by type of service use, infant transport was the highest with 842 cases, followed by medical treatment 493 cases, abdominal pain 266 cases, labor pain 118 cases, and childbirth 11 cases.

Emergency consultations and on-site treatment through the 119 comprehensive situation room were also conducted 4,107 times and 283 times respectively, according to the Chungnam Fire Headquarters.

By region of service use, Cheonan was the highest with 1,563 cases, followed by Seosan with 871 cases, Dangjin 646 cases, Hongseong 482 cases, and Seocheon 447 cases.

The Pregnant Women 119 Ambulance Service was introduced in December 2018 to support pregnant women in rural fishing and farming areas without obstetrics and gynecology hospitals capable of delivery to give birth with peace of mind.

Currently, the service can be used by mothers who are pregnant or within one year after childbirth, and infants. The Chungnam Fire Headquarters is also improving the quality of the service through the ‘Pregnant Women Transport Reservation System’ that helps safe childbirth, the ‘24-hour Emergency Medical Staff Consultation Service,’ and the ‘Three-way Interpretation Call System’ for multicultural family pregnant women.

In terms of facilities, the Chungnam Fire Headquarters increased transport efficiency last year by deploying four large vehicles modified from 15-seater ambulances exclusively for pregnant women and twelve general vehicles modified from 11-seater ambulances within the jurisdiction.

Choi Jang-il, Head of Rescue and Ambulance Division at Chungnam Fire Headquarters, said, “We will make this year the first year of improving service quality so that 119 ambulance services that satisfy pregnant women and children can be provided on site.”