Wooriai Medical Foundation Operates 24-Hour 'Chingu Clinic'

"We Will Ensure That Sick Children Can Visit the Hospital Even During Vulnerable Pediatric Medical Hours"
"Efforts Needed to Address Not Only the Pediatric Medical Gap but Also Welfare Blind Spots"

From April, Woori Children's Medical Foundation will operate a 24-hour medical service system for the first time in pediatric and adolescent hospitals at its affiliated hospitals, Woori Children's Hospital and Seongbuk Woori Children's Hospital.

On the 26th, Jeong Seong-gwan, chairman of Woori Children's Medical Foundation, said, "We will open a 24-hour Friend Clinic so that sick children can visit the hospital even during vulnerable pediatric medical hours," adding, "The establishment of a 24-hour medical system is a decision based on the hospital's mission to fill the pediatric medical gap, despite the weakening of the pediatric and adolescent medical care foundation due to low medical fees and a decline in birth rates causing a decrease in patients."

Currently, the Dalbit Children's Hospital operates to supplement the pediatric medical gap, but it has the limitation of operating only until midnight on weekdays. On holidays and public holidays, it closes at 6 p.m. As a result, except for emergency rooms, there are virtually no medical institutions dedicated to 24-hour care for mild pediatric emergency patients. Woori Children's Medical Foundation plans to strengthen the medical system by opening a 24-hour Friend Clinic so that pediatric patients can receive treatment during nighttime and holidays.

According to Woori Children's Medical Foundation, the Friend Clinic is expected to provide ▲ pediatric and adolescent medical care ▲ IV (intravenous treatment) such as injections and blood draws ▲ blood and urine tests ▲ X-ray, ultrasound, echocardiography, and electrocardiogram examinations ▲ transfer and transport support to advanced general hospital pediatric specialized emergency centers for severe and emergency pediatric patients.

Woori Children's Medical Foundation also argued that government measures are needed to address the pediatric medical gap. Chairman Jeong said, "The government should actively support small- to medium-sized pediatric and adolescent medical institutions that find it difficult to meet the designation criteria for pediatric specialized emergency centers to maintain and improve medical accessibility in their regions," adding, "In particular, considering the medical demand of pediatric patients during nighttime and holidays, there is a need to establish plans for designating nighttime medical institutions and revitalizing Dalbit Children's Hospital."

He continued, "Especially for Dalbit Children's Hospital, which operates all day, the nighttime medical management fee after midnight is currently recognized only to a limited extent," adding, "In the future, we hope that an environment will be created where pediatric patients can receive stable treatment during vulnerable hours such as nighttime and early morning through expanded recognition of nighttime medical management fees and sufficient operational support funds for 24-hour medical institutions."

He also raised the need for efforts to address not only the pediatric medical gap but also the blind spots in pediatric welfare. Chairman Jeong said, "For the proper growth and health of children and adolescents, policy development and institutional support that encompass not only pediatric and adolescent medical care but also welfare are necessary," explaining, "When thinking of pediatrics, people often imagine soothing crying children in the clinic while holding a stethoscope and administering vaccinations, but recently, the social role for children and adolescents has been continuously increasing."

He emphasized, "To solve various problems our society faces, such as preventing child abuse and addressing issues of secluded and isolated children and adolescents, comprehensive welfare measures should be prepared through cooperation among pediatric medical institutions, the government, local governments, and related organizations."