The April admission competition rate for the Seodaemun District public postpartum care center "PumAe(love) Gadeuk" reached 9.1 to 1. It is the highest among the four public drawings held this year for entrants. Word-of-mouth about the price—only about 5% (about 250,000 won) of the average fee at private postpartum care centers—and high-quality facilities and services is believed to have drawn applicants.
According to Seodaemun District on the 28th, a total of 82 people applied during the 1st to 10th of this month to enter PumAe Gadeuk in April. Nine people were selected, putting the competition rate at 9.1 to 1.
The district selects entrants by public drawing three months ahead of admission every month. Although the competition rate varies by month, the district said competition is fierce, with around 70 to 80 people applying when about 10 are typically chosen.
The high competition rate is driven by the price. For residents who have lived in Seodaemun District for at least one year, the two-week fee is 250,000 won. That is about 5% of the average fee at postpartum care centers in Seoul.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as of the first half of last year, the average price for a standard room at postpartum care centers in Seoul was 4.9 million won. Fees at postpartum care centers have risen by about 350,000 won a year on average over the past three years. As centers have closed due to low birthrates, the remaining facilities have raised prices.
Since last year, Seodaemun District has applied a steeply reduced fee if either the mother or spouse has lived in Seodaemun District for at least one year. Even if one person lived in another area before marriage, they can receive the benefit if they meet the requirement. Those who have lived less than one year pay a discounted 2 million won, and nonresidents pay 2.5 million won.
Its facilities and services are also considered on par with private postpartum care centers. PumAe Gadeuk has 12 rooms for mothers, two newborn rooms, and a pre-observation room, breastfeeding room, massage room, counseling room, classroom, and cafeteria. Rooms for mothers are equipped with a TV, refrigerator, hotel-style bedding, motion bed, heating and cooling system, air-pressure leg massager, air purifier, and breast pump.
Tailored care is another strength. A professional nutritionist provides three meals and snacks a day, and a buffet special is offered on Saturdays once a week. Professional massage staff provide basic massages free of charge, and a breastfeeding specialist offers one-on-one training to help correct posture. A pediatrician makes rounds three times a week to check newborns' health. As a result, user satisfaction averages 9.96 out of 10.
PumAe Gadeuk is a key campaign pledge of Seodaemun District Chief Lee Seong-heon in the eighth popular election. It was built near Jeungsan Station on Seoul Subway Line 6 in a neighborhood of dwellings, with a total floor area of 1,351 square meters (about 409 pyeong) across one basement level and four above-ground floors. It is the only public postpartum care center in northwestern Seoul.
Lee said, "The policy of dramatically cutting public postpartum care center fees by up to 90% to make Seodaemun a good place to raise children is winning support from residents," adding, "We will continue to work for the health and welfare of mothers and newborns."