A medical emergency turned tragic after multiple hospitals refused urgent care.
A pregnant American woman lost one of her twins after being denied treatment by several hospitals in South Korea.
The incident occurred in Daegu, where the woman, 28 weeks pregnant, began experiencing severe abdominal pain.
According to reports, her husband first contacted a local clinic but was advised to seek care at a larger hospital. As her condition worsened, emergency services were called.
However, paramedics spent nearly an hour contacting hospitals, with at least seven facilities refusing to admit her. Reasons cited included a shortage of obstetricians and limited capacity to care for newborns.
The South Korea hospital refusal involving the pregnant woman led her husband to drive her to Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, their regular medical provider.
During the journey, her condition deteriorated, and further delays occurred due to coordination issues between emergency teams.
She was eventually admitted more than four hours after the initial emergency call. The mother survived, but one baby died shortly after delivery due to oxygen deprivation. The second baby remains in intensive care with a reported brain injury.
The case has triggered a government investigation and renewed concerns about emergency healthcare access in South Korea.
Data shows that patient refusals by hospitals have risen sharply due to staffing shortages and limited resources.
The South Korea hospital refusal case highlights growing pressure on the healthcare system and the risks faced during critical emergencies.