"'Dalbit Children’s Hospital' Operating at a Deficit, More Than Half of Government Subsidies Not Received"

"Majority of Hospitals Operating Dalbit Children's Hospital Consider Returning Designation"

Criticism has been raised that government subsidies are not being properly provided to the 'Dalbit Children’s Hospital,' which operates on weekends, holidays, and nights despite running at a loss.

[Image source=Gangnam Hospital]

The Korean Association of Pediatric and Adolescent Hospitals stated in a press release on the 16th, "We are facing great difficulties in operating Dalbit Children’s Hospital due to low medical fees and delays in government subsidies promised by the government." Among the 95 Dalbit Children’s Hospitals nationwide, 37 are pediatric and adolescent hospitals, accounting for 38.9%.

The association said, "The purpose of operating Dalbit Children’s Hospital is to distribute the treatment of mild patients from emergency rooms, improve the efficiency of emergency care, and reduce insurance finances. However, in reality, as pediatric emergency rooms in tertiary general hospitals are not functioning properly and are closing, the treatment of semi-severe emergency patients with nowhere to go has been shifted to pediatric and adolescent hospitals," they claimed.

They continued, "Most member hospitals designated as Dalbit Children’s Hospitals among pediatric and adolescent hospitals face significant management difficulties due to general treatment and Dalbit Children’s Hospital pediatric emergency room care," adding, "The fees for Dalbit Children’s Hospitals are set the same regardless of whether it is a clinic or a hospital, but large pediatric and adolescent hospitals require more personnel such as doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and medical technicians, resulting in higher labor costs. Additionally, treatment materials are not reimbursed, so the more patients there are, the more the deficit grows."

The Korean Association of Pediatric and Adolescent Hospitals lamented that although the government promised to provide government subsidies twice this year, in the first and second halves, this has not been properly fulfilled. Not only was the initially set government subsidy adjusted downward, but even that has not been paid. When the association randomly selected eight pediatric and adolescent hospitals to investigate the status of government subsidy payments, three hospitals reported receiving no payments at all, and three hospitals received only partial payments. Among these, two hospitals were notified by public health centers that there would be no government support funds.

Choi Yong-jae, president of the Korean Association of Pediatric and Adolescent Hospitals, said, "There is no promise for the payment of government subsidies. Due to the deficit structure, it is impossible to operate testing and treatment rooms, and downsizing or closure is inevitable," adding, "I understand that the majority of member hospitals operating Dalbit Children’s Hospitals are considering returning their designation."

Furthermore, he proposed, "Considering the ongoing reduction and closure of university hospital pediatric emergency rooms due to difficulties in backup care, there could be significant disruptions in nighttime pediatric patient care. For pediatric and adolescent hospitals operating testing and treatment rooms, fees equivalent to emergency rooms should be set, or support through emergency medical funds and insurance finances should be strengthened to provide timely medical care necessary for semi-severe pediatric patients."