"Why Can't Helicopters Land at the Gyeongnam Regional Trauma Center?"

Jeong Jae-wook, Gyeongnam Provincial Assembly Member, Criticizes Delayed Opening of Gyeongnam Regional Trauma Center at Budget and Accounts Special Committee

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Song Jong-gu] Jeong Jae-wook, a member of the Gyeongnam Provincial Council, questioned the provincial government for a prompt resolution on the 21st at the comprehensive review session of the 2nd supplementary budget of Gyeongsangnam-do, stating that although Gyeongsang National University Hospital was designated as the Gyeongnam Regional Trauma Center five years ago in 2017, the center has not even opened due to the budget burden for installing a helipad being passed back and forth between Gyeongsangnam-do and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, making it the only medical welfare blind spot nationwide.

Ha Byung-pil, Deputy Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, who responded, said, “We are making multifaceted efforts with the Ministry of Health and Welfare to resolve this issue, but since a heavy helicopter must land on the rooftop of the center, the financial demand for building reinforcement and other measures has increased, delaying the opening of the center,” effectively acknowledging that budget issues are the core problem delaying the center’s opening.

At this session, Councilor Jeong stated, “The jurisdiction of the Gyeongnam Regional Trauma Center is quite wide, including Jirisan and Namhae, and since transportation of the rural elderly population is a major medical demand, it is a very urgent situation that cannot be delayed even for a moment for the life and safety of the residents.” He added, “Currently, the helipad installed along the Namgang River, which I proposed and installed when I was a Jinju city councilor, is being used temporarily,” urging the provincial government to quickly recognize the seriousness of this issue and promptly resolve it.

On the 22nd, Councilor Jeong visited the site and held a meeting with several center officials, including Joo Young-tae, Director of Planning and Coordination at Gyeongsang National University Hospital, to discuss solutions.

At this meeting, Director Joo explained, “The temporary helipad along the Namgang River currently in use will have its occupancy permit expire in April next year,” emphasizing the urgency of the issue.

He further stated, “Gyeongsang National University Hospital must bear more than 17.7 billion KRW for installing the rooftop helipad. Given the hospital’s worsening financial health, this issue cannot be resolved without substantial national and provincial government support,” requesting active support from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Gyeongsangnam-do.

According to data from the Jinju Fire Station, since 2021, there have been a total of 11 helicopter-linked patient transports, including 4 cases each of cardiac arrest and severe trauma, 2 cases of fall trauma, and 1 case of transporting a COVID-19 positive pregnant woman. These are extremely urgent situations directly related to life, and if this issue is neglected, it is expected to pose a serious threat to the lives and safety of local residents.

Councilor Jeong said, “The life and safety of residents must be prioritized above all else,” adding, “The damage caused by the delayed opening of the center due to budget shortages will be borne entirely by the residents. Considering urgent rescue situations such as typhoon damage or fall accidents in autumn, this issue must be resolved this time without fail.”