Jeju Island provides 5.08 billion won in childbirth medical support... Strengthening medical care for high-risk mothers

Jeju Island will expand support for childbirth medical care starting next year to address the medical gap caused by the decline in childbirth medical facilities and the shortage of essential medical personnel.

Jeju Island announced on the 13th that it will invest 9.5 billion won of the approximately 23.3 billion won allocated as a special account for regional essential medical care in 2027 into the fields of pediatrics, childbirth, and maternal and child medical care.

Among these, a total of KRW 5.08 billion will be provided, including KRW 3.08 billion for childbirth medical care at two general hospitals and KRW 2 billion for three obstetrics and gynecology clinics, to help secure medical personnel and expand facilities and equipment.

This support follows growing concerns about a gap in childbirth care following the closure of an obstetrics and gynecology clinic in the province last September.

The obstetrics and gynecology department was responsible for delivering 237 babies, or 25.6% of all births in the province in the first quarter of this year.

As the number of high-risk mothers increases due to advanced age and multiple pregnancies, transfers of mothers and newborns to other regions are continuing.

The transfer of mothers and newborns to other provinces in the province amounts to a total of 61 cases, including 12 cases in 2023, 10 cases in 2024, 22 cases last year, and 17 cases as of August this year.

The province is strengthening the medical care system for high-risk mothers and newborns, centered on Jeju National University Hospital and Jeju Halla Hospital.

Jeju National University Hospital has expanded the standard for gestational age for delivery from 30 weeks or more to 28 weeks or more since last July, and plans to begin operating a regional maternal and child medical center next month.

In addition, the number of obstetricians will be increased to four by next year, and the intensive care unit for high-risk mothers will be expanded to five beds.

Jeju Halla Hospital has secured two additional obstetricians and gynecologists and is operating a 24-hour delivery care system starting this month, and plans to improve the facilities and equipment of the neonatal intensive care unit next year.

The province plans to prepare a mid- to long-term development plan for the local delivery medical system by the end of the year, concretizing cooperation between medical institutions and measures to secure essential medical personnel.