The Only Pediatric Clinic in the Neighborhood Closed by a Mother... Angry Medical Association Reports Her for 'Child Abuse'

Pediatrician Closing Clinic Responds to Complaints
"Plans to File Additional Charges for False Accusation and Obstruction of Business"

Recently, a pediatric clinic decided to close after being harassed by complaints from a guardian when they sent away a 9-year-old child who came alone for treatment without a guardian. The Korean Pediatric Society announced that it will file a criminal complaint against the guardian for child neglect.

On the 25th, Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Pediatric Society, stated on his Facebook, "We plan to file a criminal complaint on behalf of the society for child neglect against the person who sent a 9-year-old child, who could not communicate properly, alone to the pediatric clinic, and then filed a complaint with the public health center and spread falsehoods on a mom cafe."

He added, "The guardian reportedly deleted the post on the mom cafe and withdrew the complaint to the public health center," and warned of a strong response, saying, "We will additionally file charges for false accusation and obstruction of business. Since evidence destruction was also involved, there is cause for detention."

Complaint after sending away 9-year-old who came alone... The only pediatric clinic in the neighborhood "will close"

[Image source=Im Hyuntaek, President of the Korean Pediatric Society Facebook]

Earlier, on the 22nd, President Lim shared a closure notice from a pediatric clinic.

The notice stated, "Recently, a 9-year-old first-time patient visited without guardian contact or accompaniment. When we informed them that a guardian must accompany the child, a complaint was filed with the public health center alleging refusal of treatment," and continued, "Despite the difficult circumstances, we have devoted ourselves to pediatric care, but due to the severe distress caused by the guardian's malicious complaint, we have reached a point where we can no longer continue pediatric treatment."

The clinic also emphasized, "For the safety of patients and accurate diagnosis, we do not treat patients under 14 years old without a guardian unless it is an emergency," and added, "There are court precedents holding doctors responsible for treatment without a guardian, and guardian accompaniment is the minimum duty of care for a sick child."

President Lim, announcing the clinic's closure, said, "This is the only pediatric clinic in the area." However, the content of the post has since been revised.

"I was furious inside seeing the child crying in pain"

[Image source=Pixabay]

After the story became known, a netizen presumed to be the guardian of the 9-year-old child, identified as A, posted a message on a mom cafe that later attracted attention. A explained the situation, saying, "I received a call from school saying the child had a fever, so I asked if they could go alone if I made a hospital appointment, and they said yes. I barely managed to make an appointment starting at 2 PM and sent them off."

They continued, "However, the hospital contacted me saying that children under 14 cannot be treated without a guardian. Even though the child was very sick with a high fever, they bluntly asked if I could arrive within 5 minutes. I said I was at work and couldn't come immediately and asked if they could reschedule, but they said it was already fully booked."

A said, "The child just returned home, and I took them to another clinic after I finished work. The moment they saw me, the child cried hard, saying they were very sick. The hospital measured the fever at 39.3 degrees Celsius," and concluded, "I want to file a complaint immediately. I will call the public health center tomorrow. If anyone has experience, please help."

However, as the controversy grew, A reportedly deleted the post on the mom cafe and withdrew the complaint filed with the public health center.

[Image source=Online Community]

Meanwhile, refusal to treat minors without a guardian does not fall under Article 15 of the Medical Service Act or the 'justifiable reasons for refusal of treatment' defined by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. However, the medical community pointed out that when treating children who come alone without a guardian, there is a risk of various issues, so treatment should be conducted with the guardian present.