Inha University Hospital and Bundang Seoul National University Hospital Designated as 'Children's Public Specialized Medical Centers'

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 26th that it has additionally designated two medical institutions, Inha University Hospital and Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, as Children's Public Specialized Medical Centers.

Children's Public Specialized Medical Centers are medical institutions that professionally handle severe pediatric patients who are difficult to treat at primary and secondary hospitals and clinics within the region. Once designated as a Children's Public Specialized Medical Center, the institution can receive health insurance fee support and budget support such as essential medical equipment costs, provided that they secure and maintain a certain standard of personnel, facilities, and equipment specialized in medical services for severe pediatric patients.

Inha University Hospital (above), Bundang Seoul National University Hospital exterior view. [Photo by each hospital]

Previously, the Ministry of Health and Welfare prepared the 'Pediatric Medical System Improvement Plan,' which includes securing pediatric medical personnel, resolving pediatric medical blind spots, and gradually expanding the currently 10 Children's Public Specialized Medical Centers, focusing on regions without such centers to ensure balanced distribution of severe pediatric care infrastructure. With this additional designation, the total number of Children's Public Specialized Medical Centers nationwide has increased to 12.

Im In-taek, Director of the Health and Medical Policy Office at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "We expect that the additional designation of two Children's Public Specialized Medical Centers in the Incheon and Gyeonggi regions will greatly help improve medical accessibility for severe pediatric patients within the region." He added, "We will carefully monitor to ensure there are no operational difficulties by providing budget support and reviewing the application of pilot projects for post-compensation for the additionally designated Children's Public Specialized Medical Centers."