Doctors weren't the only ones concerned about the collapse of the pediatric healthcare system, it turned out recently.

Parents, who have to wait in line early in the morning, even before hospitals open, to receive pediatric care, have come forward to call for the government to take action.

Recently, the guardian of a 10-month-old baby called for an increase in pediatric treatment fees on Petition 24, an online website where people can post their demands to the government. The website’s operators will collect citizens’ opinions on the petition until the end of this month before sending it for deliberation.

"As someone who raises a baby, I am heartbroken whenever I hear that there are no pulmonologists or specialists in the pediatric department," the petitioner said. "There are so many babies, but there are no pediatric doctors, forcing so many parents to line up to see pediatricians."

The petitioner went on to say, "Lately, I watched the news that the government would cancel its designation as a tertiary general hospital if the medical institutions reduce the number of pediatricians and obstetricians. Who will apply to become pediatricians if there are only sticks and no carrots? It is unreasonable to tell doctors just to have a sense of mission.”

The petitioner confessed that she wanted to have a second child but remained reluctant, as she was afraid of the collapse of the pediatric care system. She emphasized that to solve the declining birthrate, doctors need incentives to save the department by, for instance, adjusting upward pediatric treatment fees.

"Although I want to have a second child, I am hesitant because I am afraid that in a few years, I will not be able to have my baby receive medical treatment due to the shortage of pediatricians," the petitioner said, "Please offer some incentive for pediatric doctors so that more medical residents choose it. Please provide a backup plan, including the rise in fees, to prevent pediatricians from diverting to other more lucrative departments."

The petition received many comments, saying, "I can hardly agree more as a parent of a child."

"Although there is a university hospital near my house, I can see no doctors when I visit its emergency room urgently. I must revisit there after a long while,” a sympathetic commenter said. "I am scared to think, what if I miss a serious at the right time."

Another poster said, "I was saddened to see in the recent news reports that no hospital accepts children due to lack of pediatricians. We must prevent this from happening in the future.”