In Korea, more than 1,500 cases of childhood cancer occur every year.

However, most of pediatric cancer patients outside of Seoul are treated in Seoul.

It's not just because Seoul's medical services are good.

Because there is no choice.


“You said that there is not enough manpower, so it may not be possible to respond immediately.”

(Mother of a child with pediatric leukemia)


"There is no pediatrician who can treat a child like this. I'm going to Seoul soon."

(Mother of pediatric brain tumor)


There are only 68 pediatric cancer specialists nationwide.

Except for Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, there are only one or two, or at most, four or five people.

There are no pediatric cancer specialists in Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, and Sejong.

Even in large cities like Busan and Gwangju, there is only one person per high-level general hospital.

The operation itself is difficult.

Given this reality, there are many cases in which families of pediatric cancer patients living in rural areas have to become separated families or have to lead a wandering life for treatment.


"It's always said that there is a big difference between the metropolitan area and the provinces, but it's a bit sad that there is such a huge difference when it comes to basic life. It's sad."

(Mother of a child with brain tumor)


This is not the only problem.

The filling rate for pediatric and juvenile majors has decreased year by year, recording 28.1% this year, the lowest in history.


This means that it did not even fill 1/3 of the required workforce for pediatrics.

In rural areas, 60% of pediatric emergency rooms have to be closed at night.


"The thing I'm most worried about is that we don't have any juniors when we retire. 'I may have to go to China or Japan for treatment in 5 years from childhood cancer.'

I'm talking about this."

(Kim Hye-ri, Policy Director, Korean Pediatric Hematologic Oncology Society)



As the low birth rate continues, the population cliff is becoming a reality, and there are concerns about the collapse of the pediatric health care system.



In <Newsstory> this week, we want to focus on the problem of the shortage of pediatricians, including pediatric cancer, through the desperate stories of pediatric cancer patients and their families who are traveling for treatment.