Korean Pediatric and Adolescent Hospital Association Urges New Administration to Prevent Collapse of Pediatric Care System

The Korean Pediatric and Adolescent Hospital Association has called on the Lee Jaemyung administration to prevent the collapse of pediatric healthcare. The association argues that a fundamental transformation is needed, including a complete overhaul of related systems and structures, to normalize the pediatric care system.

Choi Yongjae, President of the Korean Pediatric and Adolescent Hospital Association

On June 4, the association released a statement titled "A Letter to the 21st President," saying, "Pediatric healthcare has been steadily deteriorating. Even when children are sick, there are no available beds, parents spend the night going from one emergency room to another, and even higher-level hospitals refuse to accept critically ill pediatric patients." The association appealed, "Please help create a true K-Pediatric Healthcare."

The association questioned, "In a country where children are placed on waiting lists instead of in hospital beds, parents keep vigil in tears outside hospitals, and pediatric medical staff are left exhausted and solely responsible, can we really talk about 'true' pediatric healthcare?"

The association also pointed out, "The government has faced countless pediatric healthcare crises, but has repeatedly responded with superficial measures and short-term fee increases, without any real structural reform. As a result, pediatrics has become an unpopular specialty, hospitals in underserved areas are closing, and our children are increasingly losing access to care."

The association further stated, "What is needed is not a stopgap solution, but a fundamental transformation through a complete overhaul of systems and structures," and proposed the following: designating pediatric healthcare as a national essential service with institutionalized and sustainable financial support; strengthening the capabilities of private pediatric hospitals and clinics while reducing the public burden; and improving the treatment and working conditions of pediatric specialists.

The association emphasized, "Although Bang Jeonghwan established Children's Day 103 years ago, even after 100 years, there is still not a single law to protect children's health. We urge the enactment of a 'Basic Law on Children's Health' to legally guarantee children's right to health."