National Sorokdo Hospital to Hold 'Hansen's Day' Commemoration Event on the 16th

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Sorokdo Hospital announced on the 15th that they will hold the '20th Hansen's Day' commemorative event on the morning of the 16th at the National Sorokdo Hospital Complex Cultural Center to mark the 107th anniversary of the hospital's opening.

Main building exterior view of National Sorokdo Hospital.

Hansen's Day is an occasion held annually on the anniversary of the National Sorokdo Hospital's opening (May 17), where Hansen's disease patients from across the country gather to promote camaraderie through sports events and other activities. Since the Korean Hansen's Disease Association designated 'Hansen's Day' in 2004, this year marks the 20th event.

The Hansen's Day event has not been held for the past few years due to COVID-19 but will be held again after four years. The event includes a commemorative ceremony and cultural and sports activities for Hansen's families. Awards will be presented to 22 individuals who have contributed to the rights and welfare improvement of Hansen's patients (2 Presidential Citations, 2 Prime Minister Citations, and 18 Minister of Health and Welfare Citations).

Jung Heon-yeong, director of the Korea Dental Prosthetics Society, who will receive the Presidential Citation, has been providing dental care, including making free dentures, by visiting Hansen's disease settlements, care facilities, and Sorokdo Hospital nationwide every year since 1973. Kang Jeong-dae, director of the Gwangju Jeonnam branch clinic of the Korea Hansen Welfare Association, has contributed to improving the quality of life of Hansen's patients by supporting rehabilitation aids for physical function recovery and providing mobile medical services for those with ulcers and sequelae disabilities for 15 years.

Additionally, Sorokdo Hospital will temporarily reopen the Sorokdo Hansen's Disease Museum, which had been closed due to COVID-19, in conjunction with this event. Attendees can view a special exhibition themed on 'Doksal' (stone traps) that depict the lives of Hansen's patients on Sorokdo Island, as well as the recently restored M Treatment Room (Marian and Margaret Treatment Rooms).

Park Hye-kyung, director of the National Sorokdo Hospital, said, "Since this event is held at Sorokdo Hospital, the emotional home for Hansen's patients, I hope that all attending Hansen's patients can forget the prejudices and discrimination they have faced, even if only for today."

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