Gumi, the Only Neonatal Intensive Care Center in North Gyeongsang, Serves as a Key Medical Hub for the Region
Public-Private Healthcare Model Offers Solutions to the Decline of Essential Local Medical Services
The Gumi+ Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, which has been in the spotlight as the only neonatal intensive care center in North Gyeongsang Province, has shown remarkable achievements seven months after its opening.
Opened on March 1 at Gumi CHA Hospital, this center has provided high-quality medical services to high-risk newborns and mothers.
So far, 127 newborns have received inpatient treatment, and 65 emergency deliveries have been performed. Of the treated newborns, more than half?66 babies (51.9%)?came from other municipalities, proving that Gumi City plays a key role in neonatal care within North Gyeongsang Province.
Currently, the center operates as a team of medical staff (three specialists and seven nurses) who are on duty 24 hours a day to provide specialized treatment for high-risk and low-birth-weight infants as well as premature babies. Even when all six beds are in use, stable medical care continues.
Based on these achievements, the city was selected for the Top 100 Key Tasks for Low Birthrate and secured 491.5 million won in provincial funding, which is 50% of the project cost. It was also chosen as an exemplary case of proactive administration in 2024, earning recognition for its specialized essential medical strategies.
Until now, Gumi City has worked to strengthen essential medical infrastructure by signing an agreement with Gumi CHA Hospital to address the lack of intensive care units for high-risk newborns in the province. In particular, to resolve the issues of expensive equipment and staff shortages?which are cited as reasons why private medical institutions struggle to operate neonatal ICUs?the city has actively responded by supporting about 1 billion won in medical personnel salaries. Next year, two additional beds will be secured, and more medical staff will be hired.
Kim Hyo-Soo, the center director, said, "It was heartbreaking when we had to close the neonatal ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and sick newborns had to go all the way to Daegu. Thanks to Gumi City's proactive support for essential medical services, we were able to reopen, and now we can accommodate patients from neighboring areas, making initial intensive care possible and transfers to Daegu much smoother."
Mayor Kim Jang-Ho stated, "The population decline in Gumi City slowed and began to increase again as of last August. This is thanks to the establishment of Gumi-style pediatric medical infrastructure. I take pride in our city, which is home to the only specialized neonatal care center in North Gyeongsang Province. With the operation of the 365 Pediatric and Adolescent Medical Center and the establishment of a pediatric emergency room, the living conditions for our citizens have greatly improved. We will continue to build innovative Gumi-style medical models in the future."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
