The Korean Association of Pediatric and Adolescent Hospitals surveyed 71 member hospitals from September 29 to October 4 and announced the results on October 10. Some 74.6% of hospitals said they lacked enough pediatric specialists to maintain current services, while staffing shortages were also linked to overtime work, rising labor costs, an aging medical workforce and reduced care.
The association warned that without government measures, regional pediatric care and the hospitals supporting it could weaken further or disappear.