Full-scale Operation of 'Respiratory Dedicated Clinics' in All Cities and Counties of Jeonnam Province

Respiratory Specialist Clinic installed at Yeosu Hanguk Hospital. Photo by Jeonnam Province Provided

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province announced on the 8th that it has established and begun full-scale operation of 'Respiratory Dedicated Clinics' in all cities and counties within the province to treat respiratory and fever patients at frontline medical institutions.

The Respiratory Dedicated Clinic is a facility that treats patients with fever or respiratory symptoms in an environment safe from infections.

The province invested 2.2 billion KRW in the project and established one clinic in each of the 22 cities and counties’ public health centers, clinics, and hospitals across the region.

As of this date, 18 areas including Suncheon among the 22 cities and counties have started operations, Mokpo will begin from the second week of January, and three areas including Damyang will start operations from mid-month after preparations are completed.

The clinic consists of examination rooms, X-ray rooms, specimen collection rooms, and reception areas equipped with requirements such as separated movement paths and ventilation to prevent facility infections caused by droplets.

Additionally, infection prevention equipment and supplies are provided in each zone, and medical personnel including dedicated doctors and nurses are deployed.

Especially recently, as it has become difficult to distinguish between COVID-19 virus and other respiratory infections such as cold and flu, primary medical services are provided mainly through public health centers and local clinics, which is expected to protect patients, medical staff, and medical institutions from infections.

Users of the Respiratory Dedicated Clinic can receive free COVID-19 diagnostic tests based on the doctor's judgment.

The province plans to conduct a demand survey for additional Respiratory Dedicated Clinic installations this year, add 14 more clinics, and gradually expand operations.

Kang Young-gu, Director of Health and Welfare Bureau of Jeonnam Province, said, “With the establishment of dedicated clinics, respiratory and fever patients can safely receive treatment at nearby public health centers or local medical institutions, and medical staff can be protected from infections. We will do our best to build quarantine capabilities to block local COVID-19 infections.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.