BUSAN — Thirty-eight emergency medical institutions in Busan will operate around the clock during the Chuseok holiday, while 2,204 hospitals, clinics and pharmacies keep their doors open. Systems for essential care such as pediatrics and childbirth, as well as medical support for large-scale disasters, will also be in place.
The Busan Metropolitan Government said on Sept. 17 that it will implement emergency care measures for the Chuseok holiday from the 24th to the 27th. The city and its 16 districts and counties will run emergency care situation rooms to monitor operations at emergency medical institutions, participating hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, and to provide the information to residents.
The 38 emergency medical institutions, including Dong-A University Hospital and Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, which serve as regional emergency medical centers, will operate 24 hours a day as usual during the holiday. In addition, a total of 2,204 facilities — 749 hospitals and clinics and 1,455 pharmacies — will open during the period. On a daily average, 187.3 hospitals and clinics and 363.7 pharmacies are expected to be open.
For this holiday, the city raised its support rates to secure as many operating medical facilities as possible on the day of Chuseok itself. Depending on hours of operation, hospitals will receive 500,000 to 900,000 won, clinics 400,000 to 700,000 won and pharmacies 160,000 to 320,000 won. Public health centers will also see patients, but will suspend tests and the issuance of medical certificates, providing only consultations and prescriptions.
Care systems for children and expectant mothers will be maintained as well. Nine Moonlight Children's Hospitals, which offer nighttime pediatric care, and four pediatric night and holiday care providers in underserved areas will be open. Through links between two regional maternal and child medical centers and obstetric facilities, intensive care and 24-hour emergency response for high-risk mothers and newborns will continue.
A disaster medical response network for large-scale accidents will also be activated. Rapid response units at public health centers in the 16 districts and counties, along with disaster medical assistance teams (DMAT) from three designated disaster hub hospitals — Dong-A University Hospital, Pusan National University Hospital and Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital — will maintain emergency communication lines.
Residents can check which hospitals, clinics and pharmacies are open during the holiday by calling the Health and Welfare Counseling Center at 129, the 119 emergency dispatch center, or district and county emergency care situation rooms. Operating facilities and hours are also available on the city website, the national emergency medical portal and the mobile app "Eunggeup Ttokttok" (literally "Emergency Quick," a government app for locating open clinics and pharmacies). Hours may change depending on each facility's circumstances, so calling ahead is advised.
"For minor symptoms, please first use a nearby hospital, clinic or public health center that is open, and use emergency rooms for patients who need urgent treatment," said Cho Kyu-yul, director general of the city's Citizens' Health Bureau.
