Hwacheon-gun Continues Mobile Medical Care for Elderly in Medically Underserved Remote Villages This Year

Hwacheon-gun Health Medical Center to Visit 30 Senior Centers in Medically Underserved Areas Until November
A 25-Member Support Team Including Public Health Doctors, Korean Medicine Doctors, and Nurses to Provide Physical and Mental Health Care

Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Choi Moon-soon) announced on the 13th that Hwacheon-gun Health Medical Center will continue the ‘Happy Senior Mobile Clinic’ project this year, visiting 30 senior centers in 5 medically underserved towns and townships from this month until November to care for the physical and mental health of the elderly.

Medical staff visiting elderly residents in medically underserved areas as part of the "Happy Senior Mobile Clinic" project conducted by Hwacheon County Health and Medical Center. Photo by Hwacheon County Office

The mobile clinic team consists of 25 members, including doctors, Korean medicine doctors, dentists, nurses, exercise specialists, nutritionists, responsible public officials, as well as integrated case managers and life support workers to check the daily lives of the elderly.

The mobile clinic provides physical stretching and muscle strengthening programs, and chronic disease prevention education. In addition, preventive activities such as blood pressure and blood sugar measurement, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular prevention and nutrition education, dementia screening tests, mental health counseling, depression screening, and psychological support are conducted simultaneously.

A view of Hwacheon County Health and Medical Center, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. Photo by Hwacheon County Office

In particular, if any health abnormalities are found through the doctor’s examination, immediate linkage to visiting services and medical institutions is arranged, and guardians are also notified. Furthermore, essential medical services for the elderly are provided, including Korean medicine treatments such as acupuncture, dietary therapy guidance, dental oral examinations, basic vital sign measurements, and medication guidance.

The mobile clinic conducted by Hwacheon-gun Health Medical Center for elderly residents with mobility difficulties in medically underserved areas has been ongoing for 11 years since it started in 2015. Last year, the clinic visited a total of 25 senior centers and checked the health of 1,094 people.

Through this, severe patients were linked to medical institutions, and when help was needed not only for health but also for daily life, welfare services of Hwacheon-gun were provided.

Choi Moon-soon, Governor of Hwacheon-gun, said, “There are still many elderly people who are so uncomfortable that they cannot move their bodies,” and added, “We are doing our best to provide the necessary medical services to these individuals.”

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