* Only seven trainee doctors are on duty nationwide to care for high-risk newborns in Korea. * This shortage of doctors is raising concerns about the availability of timely treatment for vulnerable infants. * The government is aware of the issue and is taking steps to address it. **Detailed Text:**
The healthcare system in Korea faces a critical shortage of medical professionals, particularly in the field of neonatal care.
The decrease in NICU trainee doctors has been significant over recent years, falling from 122 in 2019 to 111 in 2020, 95 in 2021, 88 in 2022, 49 in 2023 and this year, down to just seven. Due to the shortage, some hospitals have reduced the number of available beds. The shortage includes trainee doctors in pediatric care. Furthermore, several hospitals have also experienced a decline in the number of specialists. Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital saw its specialists decrease from seven to four compared to last year, while Jeju National University Hospital saw a reduction from four to two. Chonnam National University Hospital and Chungbuk National University Hospital also saw declines, with specialist numbers falling from six to five and from four to three, respectively.
* **Socioeconomic factors:** Poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and inadequate nutrition are significant contributors to high-risk births. * **Maternal health:** Pre-existing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. * **Environmental factors:** Exposure to pollution, toxins, and other environmental hazards can negatively impact fetal development.