Mayor Bang Se-hwan Vows to Ensure Safety of Mothers and Children... Partners with Bundang CHA Hospital

Gwangju City Signs MOU with Bundang CHA Hospital
"Concerns Over Care for High-Risk Pregnant Women and Premature Infants to Be Eased"
24-Hour Emergency Pediatric Care System Established
Gwangju City's Proportion of Elderly Mothers Reaches 40.9%

Gwangju City in Gyeonggi Province is significantly strengthening its cooperative system with specialized medical institutions to promote the health of high-risk pregnant women and infants.

Sanghwan Bang, Mayor of Gwangju City (fourth from right), is taking a commemorative photo after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Bundang CHA Hospital (Women) at the City Hall Eum Hall on the 22nd to promote the health of high-risk pregnant women and infants and strengthen cooperation in public health care. Provided by Gyeonggi Gwangbu City

On January 22, Gwangju City announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Bundang CHA Hospital (Women's) at the City Hall Eum Hall to enhance the health of high-risk pregnant women and infants and to strengthen cooperation in public health care.

This agreement was pursued in response to the ongoing increase in high-risk pregnancies and premature births, which has resulted from rising marriage and childbirth ages and a growing number of infertility treatments. The aim is to establish a more professional and systematic medical support system to provide a safe childbirth environment for local residents.

According to population trend data from Statistics Korea, the birth rate for mothers aged 35 and older in Gwangju City rose from 36.4% in 2019 to 40.9% in 2024, surpassing both the Gyeonggi Province average (34.2%→36.7%) and the national average (33.3%→35.9%) during the same period. As a result, the need for systematic management of elderly and high-risk pregnant women is becoming increasingly important.

Through this agreement, the city plans to further strengthen its medical safety net for high-risk pregnant women and infants by linking the specialized medical capabilities of Bundang CHA Hospital (Women's) with the public health functions of the local health center.

The agreement includes: ▲ medical treatment for pregnancy-related diseases in high-risk pregnant women and cooperation with postpartum care centers; ▲ collaborative care for premature and congenitally ill infants; and ▲ the establishment of a 24-hour emergency pediatric care system. Both institutions have agreed to work closely together in these areas.

In addition, the two institutions will operate educational programs such as childbirth preparation classes utilizing specialized personnel, and will share information and jointly manage cases involving high-risk pregnant women and premature infants. This will enable the establishment of a rapid medical response system in emergency situations and continuously enhance the region's public health care capabilities.

Mayor Bang Se-hwan stated, "Through this agreement, the foundation for high-risk pregnant women and infants in the region to access medical services with greater peace of mind will be strengthened. By collaborating with Bundang CHA Hospital (Women's), which specializes in pediatrics and women's health, we will continue to create an environment where mothers and children can grow up healthy."