- Chungnam Province and Dankook University Hospital Sign Agreement to Guarantee Successful Construction and Stable Operation
- Pediatric-Exclusive Emergency Room to Open; Single-Room Count Increased to 30 Beds Total

Chungnam Province has joined hands with one of the province's top university hospitals to ensure the successful construction and stable opening and operation of the "Naepo Children's Hospital," the first-phase project of the Naepo New Town comprehensive medical facility.

Governor Park Soo-hyun held an official ceremony at the provincial government office briefing room on the 14th to sign a business agreement regarding the construction and commissioned operation of the Naepo Children's Hospital with Dankook University Hospital Director Kim Jae-il.

The event was attended by key officials including Jang Ho-sung, Chairman of the Dankook University Foundation, and Huh Seung-wook, Vice President of Dankook University's Cheonan Campus, demonstrating Dankook University's strong interest and commitment to supporting the hospital project.

This agreement was arranged to establish a new regional pediatric medical hub seamlessly by enabling the province and Dankook University Hospital to closely cooperate throughout the construction, opening preparation, and operation stages of the children's hospital.

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

Specifically, the provincial government will build the hospital architecture and establish administrative and financial foundations, while Dankook University Hospital will leverage its pediatric treatment and hospital operation experience to build the treatment system and configure appropriate medical personnel.

During the event, Governor Park expressed his gratitude for Dankook University Hospital's decisive choice, stating, "This agreement is highly significant as it lays the foundation for a stable Chungnam pediatric medical system through not only the successful construction of the Naepo Children's Hospital, but also its smooth operation post-opening."

He emphasized, "Once the Naepo Children's Hospital opens, it will cut off the desperation experienced by pediatric patients and parents and serve as a solid base to resolve Chungnam's 'pediatric medical vacuum.' Based on Dankook University Hospital's overwhelming medical capabilities and professionalism in handling critical and emergency care in Chungnam, we will make Naepo Children's Hospital a nationwide success model for public pediatric healthcare."

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

Designed as a specialized pediatric medical center equipped with a pediatric-exclusive emergency room, outpatient treatment rooms, and inpatient wards, it is scheduled for completion in April 2028 and opening in October of the same year.

Since August, the province and Dankook University Hospital have discussed detailed requirements necessary for hospital operation—such as clinical departments, bed planning, and medical spaces—through a joint working-level consultative body, and are currently modifying the design to reflect those outcomes.

Notably, the two organizations decided to expand medical functions by newly establishing a pediatric dentistry department. To prevent cross-infections and accommodate guardian preferences, they decided to reduce 4-person rooms and increase single rooms.

Consequently, the room configuration has been adjusted to a total of 30 beds across 17 rooms: ten 1-person rooms, four 2-person rooms, and three 4-person rooms.

Moving forward, the province and Dankook University Hospital plan to accelerate preparation phases by sector—including detailed designs, medical staff, equipment, information systems, and operational plans—centered around the working-level consultative body, while sequentially advancing follow-up procedures such as finalizing operational plans and signing consignment operation contracts.

The province anticipates that once the Naepo Children's Hospital opens, it will establish a "regionally self-contained medical system" in cooperation with provincial base university hospitals and tertiary general hospitals. This will allow regional pediatric patients to receive high-quality medical care ranging from primary to tertiary specialized treatment within the province without having to travel to the capital area.

Additionally, the province expects that the improved accessibility to pediatric care in Naepo New Town and the southwestern region of Chungnam will enhance the residential environment of Naepo New Town and aid in attracting public institutions from the capital area.

The severe disease specialized treatment center, planned as the second-phase project of the Naepo New Town comprehensive medical facility, will determine its specific promotion direction based on the results of feasibility study services and policy and financial condition analyses.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]