President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered government officials to expand and reorganize the 24-hour pediatric emergency care system and promised that the government would spare no support in strengthening the pediatric medical system so that children can grow up healthy.

Attending the policy discussion held at Seoul National University Children’s Hospital in Jongno-gu on Wednesday, Yoon stressed that taking care of children’s health is the nation’s top priority and requested relevant ministries to use any necessary resources.

“If the children are sick, they should be properly treated, especially if they have seizures at night or if the mother is in a difficult situation to cope with, there should be a system that allows them to quickly receive treatment at a hospital or call somewhere to consult with experts,” Yoon said. “Despite the development of many parts of our society, there are many stories that say that there is a lot of shortage of pediatric hospitals compared to the past.”

After also listening to industry opinions about the shortage of pediatric care, the Yoon administration decided to strengthen the pediatric medical and emergency medical system, 24-hour counseling, and severe pediatric treatment system, he said.

In response, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said it would implement a pilot project for a “24-hour pediatric counseling center” from the second half of this year, and increase compensation for “Moonlight Children’s Hospitals,” which provides outpatient pediatric treatment at night and on holidays.

In addition, the government plans to increase the number of pediatric emergency medical centers from eight to 12, and 24-hour pediatric treatment will be available at emergency medical institutions.

President Yoon said he would push for a plan to help increase the number of pediatric doctors and nurses by improving the system, such as including the pediatric treatment system in key indicators when evaluating tertiary general hospitals.

How to increase the number of pediatricians for night treatment? 

However, the government did not explain in detail how it would increase the number of pediatricians who would work at night. 

According to the ministry, it plans to secure pediatricians through “appropriate compensation,” expand the reimbursement for admitting young children in general wards, and review raising medical fees for pediatricians.

The ministry said hospitals could hire more pediatricians by opening temporary work two-three times a week and part-time jobs.

However, most of the ministry’s measures overlapped with the previous announcement on enhancing essential care, observers said. 

The Korean pediatric care system is collapsing, given the small number of residents applying for the pediatrics department.

In December last year, sixty-five hospitals wanted to recruit 199 pediatricians, but only 33 applied for the department.