Participation of 9 Hospitals Nationwide
Strengthening Specialized Medical Services
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 1st that it will implement the 'Children's Public Specialized Medical Center Post-Compensation Pilot Project' to strengthen the regional infrastructure for severe pediatric specialized care.
This pilot project is designed to compensate for medical losses incurred during the treatment process to prevent the collapse of the severe pediatric care infrastructure. Nine institutions are participating in this pilot project, including Seoul National University Hospital, Severance Hospital, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chilgok Kyungpook National University Hospital, Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, and Kangwon National University Hospital.
In particular, as the first step in implementing the 'public policy fee,' a new payment system is introduced for the first time, which is a lump-sum post-compensation method rather than an additional fee method for individual medical services. With the expansion of essential personnel such as pediatric specialists by detailed sub-specialties, nurses, dedicated nutritionists, and pharmacists, as well as necessary medical resources such as specialized wards and equipment, it is expected that a sufficient regional infrastructure for severe pediatric care will be operated.
Additionally, specialized projects promoted by each Children's Public Specialized Medical Center will strengthen professional medical services for severe pediatric patients. To enhance care for pediatric intensive care patients, infrastructure such as specialized treatment centers (Jeonbuk National University Hospital) and children's intensive care centers (Chilgok Kyungpook National University Hospital) is being established, and continuous management services including medical care, caregiving, and regional linkage after discharge for high-risk newborns (Kangwon National University Hospital) are also being promoted.
Early developmental rehabilitation services tailored to the characteristics of high-risk newborns and pediatric intensive care patients are being promoted (Chonnam National University Hospital, Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, Chilgok Kyungpook National University Hospital), and programs for pediatric and adolescent palliative care and counseling and education for patients with rare diseases (Chungnam National University Hospital) are also being operated. To ensure stable operation of the pediatric emergency system, strengthening the operation of pediatric specialized emergency medical centers, including the reinforcement of personnel at pediatric specialized emergency medical centers (Chilgok Kyungpook National University Hospital, Severance Hospital) is also being pursued.
The pilot project will run for three years until December 2025, and participating institutions will be fully compensated for medical losses incurred during the severe pediatric treatment process through performance evaluations conducted the following year after project implementation.
Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong stated, "The Children's Public Specialized Medical Centers are the first step to support the maintenance of essential medical infrastructure by region, providing a foundation for pediatric patients and their guardians to receive sufficient specialized care nearby." He added, "We will strive to expand compensation for medical losses related to severe pediatric care in the future so that additional Children's Public Specialized Medical Centers can be established regionally."
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