Jamboree Reports 1,486 Patients the Day Before... "Additional Related Measures to Be Implemented"

by Sung Kiho

Published 04 Aug.2023 12:53(KST)

Minister Kim Hyun-sook's Briefing from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family

At the World Scout Jamboree (Jamboree), where heat-related illnesses have been occurring continuously, it was revealed that 1,486 patients visited the hospital the previous day.

Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, is speaking on the 4th at the Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree Press Center in Buan-gun, Jeonbuk. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, announced this during a briefing held on the 4th at the Jamboree Press Center in Buan-gun, Jeonbuk, where the Jamboree is taking place.

According to the World Jamboree Organizing Committee, as of midnight that day, the number of participants was 39,304 from 155 countries. Additionally, 40 more participants are scheduled to arrive. The number of hospital visits the previous day was 1,486, including 383 cases of insect bites, 250 cases of skin rashes, and 138 cases of heat-related symptoms.

Minister Kim also stated, "We will implement additional measures to prevent heat-related illnesses caused by the heatwave."

The additional support measures include ▲ installing more shade shelters ▲ providing 10 refrigerated/freezer trucks and frozen water bottles (5 bottles per person per day) ▲ distributing personal heatwave prevention items such as cooling masks, hats, sunscreen, ice packs, and salt tablets to all participants ▲ securing 5 rest buses and deploying 130 cooling buses ▲ adding more doctors (23 on the 4th, 14 on the 5th) and extending the operating hours of the Jamboree clinic.

Furthermore, to maintain the shower and restroom facilities regularly, cleaning staff will be increased from the existing 70 to 542, and additional pest control personnel will be deployed for pest management. The amount of food provided to Scout members will be increased, and additional snack rooms will be provided.

Minister Kim said, "I understand that many embassies have expressed concerns about this World Jamboree event," and added, "Regarding these concerns, as I mentioned earlier, measures have been taken or will continue to be taken."