- Chungnam Province and Dankook University Hospital sign agreement for "successful establishment and stable operation"
- Featuring a "dedicated pediatric emergency room" and expanded single rooms, adjusted to 30 beds

Chungnam Province has joined hands with Dankook University Hospital—recognized as the top university hospital in the province—to ensure the successful establishment and stable opening and operation of the "Naepo Children's Hospital," which marks the first phase of the Naepo New Town general medical facility project.

On the 14th, Governor Park Soo-hyun held a business agreement signing ceremony regarding the establishment and consigned operation of the Naepo Children's Hospital with Dankook University Hospital Director Kim Jae-il at the provincial government conference room.

The event was also attended by Chang Ho-sung, Chairman of the Dankook University Foundation, and Heo Seung-wook, Vice President of Dankook University's Cheonan Campus, demonstrating Dankook University's high level of interest and strong commitment to supporting the Naepo Children's Hospital.

This agreement was arranged to seamlessly establish a new regional pediatric healthcare hub through close cooperation between the province and Dankook University Hospital spanning the hospital's establishment, opening preparations, and subsequent operation.

According to the agreement, the province and Dankook University Hospital will cooperate closely on the successful establishment of the Naepo Children's Hospital, the establishment of an efficient treatment and operation system, the securing of medical personnel and operation preparation, and all necessary matters for a smooth opening.

In addition, the province will provide the hospital construction and administrative-financial foundation, while Dankook University Hospital will leverage its pediatric treatment and hospital operation experience to build the treatment system and configure appropriate medical personnel for the Naepo Children's Hospital.

At the ceremony, Governor Park expressed his gratitude for Dankook University Hospital's decisive choice, stating, "This agreement is of great significance as it lays the foundation for a stable Chungnam pediatric medical system through the successful establishment of the Naepo Children's Hospital and its smooth operation after opening."

He further emphasized, "Once the Naepo Children's Hospital opens, it will cut off the desperation experienced by pediatric patients and their parents, serving as a solid stronghold to resolve Chungnam's 'pediatric medical vacuum.' Based on the overwhelming medical capabilities and expertise of Dankook University Hospital, which has been responsible for severe and emergency care in Chungnam, we will make the Naepo Children's Hospital a successful nationwide model for public pediatric healthcare."

The Naepo Children's Hospital is being built within the medical facility site of Naepo New Town (Hongbuk-eup, Hongseong-gun) with a total investment of 48.7 billion KRW, featuring a total floor area of 5,326 square meters spanning 3 floors above ground and 1 basement level.

Designed as a pediatric-specialized hospital equipped with a dedicated pediatric emergency room, outpatient clinics, and inpatient wards, it is scheduled to be completed in April 2028 and open in October of the same year.

The province and Dankook University Hospital have been discussing detailed matters necessary for hospital operation—such as medical departments, bed planning, and treatment spaces—through a joint working-level consultative body since last August, and are currently conducting design revisions reflecting those results.

In particular, the two institutions will expand treatment functions by establishing a pediatric dental department. For the inpatient ward, considering cross-infection prevention and guardian preferences, the number of 4-bed rooms will be reduced while single rooms will be increased.

Consequently, the room configuration has been adjusted to 30 beds across 17 rooms: 10 single-person rooms, 4 two-person rooms, and 3 four-person rooms.

Moving forward, centered around the working-level consultative body, the province and Dankook University Hospital plan to accelerate opening preparations across various fields including detailed design, medical personnel, equipment, information systems, and operation plans, while sequentially pursuing follow-up procedures such as finalizing operation plans and signing consignment-management contracts.

The province expects that once the Naepo Children's Hospital opens, it will build a "regionally complete medical system" with the province's base university hospital and tertiary general hospital. This will enable pediatric patients within the region to receive high-quality medical services ranging from primary care to tertiary specialist care within the province without having to travel to the Seoul metropolitan area.

Furthermore, it anticipates that pediatric medical accessibility will significantly improve in the southwestern region of Chungnam, including Naepo New Town, thereby enhancing the settlement conditions of Naepo New Town and assisting in attracting public institutions from the Seoul metropolitan area.

As for the severe-condition specialized treatment center planned as the second phase of the Naepo New Town general medical facility project, specific implementation directions will be decided based on the results of feasibility study services and policy-financial condition analysis outcomes.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]