Nowon-gu Operates 'Visiting Health Center Mobile Health Bus'

Operation of Mobile Health Bus for Vulnerable Groups Including Elderly and Disabled... 93 Sessions Conducted from July Last Year to Mid-May This Year, 1,814 People Screened... Integrated Health Checkups Using 12 Types of 17 Medical Devices by Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, Nutritionists, and Exercise Specialists

Health Bus

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) is operating a mobile health bus for people with disabilities and seniors aged 65 and over who are vulnerable to health management and have low medical accessibility, receiving great responses from residents.

Nowon-gu has a population ratio of people aged 65 and over at 16.3%, steadily increasing since 2016, and the proportion of residents with disabilities is 5.2%, making it a place with a high role and necessity for public health in Seoul.

The district has invested about 546 million KRW to operate the mobile health bus since July 2020, ensuring that all residents can receive health services regardless of economic conditions or mobility.

The mobile health bus is a 34-seat bus equipped with 17 medical devices across 12 types, functioning as a moving public health center. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, and exercise specialists accompany the bus, enabling comprehensive health management and consultation.

The examinations are divided into six categories, including basic tests such as blood pressure measurement, blood tests, and body composition analysis, as well as specialized tests like bone density, pulse wave, plantar pressure measurement, and pulmonary function tests.

After the examination, personalized consultations follow along with the doctor's comprehensive opinion. For chronic diseases such as hypertension or diabetes, in-depth consultations including medication counseling are available, and for geriatric diseases, in-depth consultations based on Korean medicine are also possible.

Despite reduced operations due to COVID-19, from July last year to May 14 this year, a total of 93 sessions served 1,814 people. Among them, 1,472 people were linked not only to the examination but also to district-operated oral health, Korean medicine health promotion, rehabilitation health, and mental health promotion projects. In a survey conducted after the examination, 90% of users expressed satisfaction, and currently, applications for examinations until June have been completed, showing strong enthusiasm from residents.

The mobile health bus allows examination applications from places within the district such as senior centers, welfare centers, and apartments where there are 20 or more health-vulnerable people like people with disabilities and seniors.

This year, the mobile health bus aims to conduct 200 sessions and examine 4,000 people. In a situation where the health of vulnerable groups is threatened due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the mobile health bus is expected to greatly help strengthen community care and establish an integrated system linking public health centers and community resources.

In addition, Nowon-gu is providing demand-centered health services such as the ‘Visiting Health Classroom’ for education and medication guidance for chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension, and the ‘Visiting Exercise Classroom’ for seniors with low physical activity.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “The benefits of public health should be equally enjoyed by everyone regardless of health status or economic ability,” adding, “Through mobile health buses and visiting health services, we will improve medical accessibility for vulnerable groups and strengthen community care.”

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