Jeju National University Hospital Professor Han Sang-hoon receives ministerial commendation for contributions to care for terminally ill patients

【Financial News, Jeju—Reporter Jeong Yong-bok】 Professor Han Sang-hoon of the Division of Hematology and Oncology at Jeju National University Hospital, who has worked to advance hospice and palliative care that helps terminally ill patients and their families spend the final stage of life more comfortably, has received a commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare.
According to Jeju National University Hospital on the 25th, Professor Han was recognized for contributions to the development of hospice and palliative care in Jeju and to improving care for terminally ill patients and their families on the occasion of the 14th Hospice Day.
On the 20th, MOHW held a ceremony in Seoul’s Yongsan District to mark the 14th Hospice Day, presenting ministerial commendations to 33 individuals and 7 organizations for their contributions to hospice and palliative care and to the establishment of the Life-Sustaining Treatment Decision-Making System.
Hospice and palliative care is a medical service that reduces pain and physical discomfort for terminally ill patients and alleviates the psychological and social difficulties experienced by patients and their families. It is distinct from medical care that gives up on treatment or focuses solely on preparing for death. Its purpose is to maintain patients’ quality of life and ease the burden on their families.
Services are offered in several forms, including inpatient care in specialized wards and home-based care, in which medical staff visit patients at home. Jeju National University Hospital also provides consultations on inpatient and home-based hospice care.

This year, Jeju National University Hospital and the Jeju Regional Cancer Center are running a campaign to raise awareness of hospice and palliative care under the theme “Easing Pain, Filling Hearts.” Along with outreach to hospital visitors, they are informing residents about the meaning and importance of hospice at local events such as the Tamna Cultural Festival.
Hospice Day is a statutory observance designated by law to fall on the second Saturday of October each year. This year, it fell on the 10th. The day was established to deepen public understanding of care for terminally ill patients and their families and to reflect on the value of a dignified end of life.
Professor Heo Jeong-sik of the Department of Urology at Jeju National University Hospital, who led the campaign, said, “Hospice and palliative care is not medical care that prepares only for death, but care that accompanies patients and their families so they can live the time they have left more comfortably and meaningfully. I hope this campaign will be an opportunity to understand hospice as end-of-life care that everyone needs.”


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