A pregnant woman in Daegu was forced to travel three hours to Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, for emergency care after local hospitals were unable to accommodate her, an incident recently brought to light by authorities.
Delayed Care and Increasing Trends
On April 8th, the Daegu Fire Department reported that on March 25th, at approximately 2:00 AM, they received a call regarding a 36-year-traditional woman, 20 weeks pregnant, experiencing abdominal pain. After contacting 16 hospitals in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, the fire department received confirmation that none could accept the patient, citing a lack of specialists or available delivery rooms.
The 119 emergency dispatch center expanded its search and ultimately secured a bed at a specialized obstetrics hospital in Asan, where the patient was transported. Officials determined the patient was stable enough for the longer journey.
The woman received treatment and was discharged safely. However, this incident is part of a growing trend. The Daegu Fire Department reports an increase in cases requiring lengthy out-of-area transfers.
According to the Daegu Fire Department, the majority of these extended transport cases involve serious and emergency conditions, including cerebrovascular disease, obstetrics, and pediatrics. These delays are attributed to limitations in regional essential medical and specialized care infrastructure.
Calls for Systemic Change
The Our Welfare Citizens’ Coalition issued a statement on April 8th, urging the central government and Daegu city officials to secure readily available essential medical personnel and establish collaborative referral systems to prevent similar incidents. The coalition emphasized the need to move beyond explanations of “no beds” or “no doctors” when emergency transfers fail.
This incident follows another case from April 1st in Daegu, where a woman experiencing premature labor with twins was turned away from seven local hospitals and transported four hours to Bundang Seoul University Hospital in Gyeonggi Province. Tragically, one of the twins did not survive, and the other remains in critical condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the transfer of the pregnant woman to Asan?
The pregnant woman was transferred to Asan because 16 hospitals in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province were unable to accept her due to a lack of specialists or available delivery rooms.
What types of medical cases are most often requiring out-of-area transfers?
According to the Daegu Fire Department, the most common cases requiring lengthy transfers are cerebrovascular disease, obstetrics, and pediatrics.
What is the Our Welfare Citizens’ Coalition calling for?
The Our Welfare Citizens’ Coalition is calling for the central government and Daegu city officials to secure readily available essential medical personnel and establish collaborative referral systems.
As regional healthcare infrastructure faces increasing pressure, what steps can be taken to ensure equitable access to emergency medical care for all residents?
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