Seoul Hospital Network Delivers Critical Care to Vulnerable Elderly Amidst Climate Challenges
Seoul’s Seonam Hospital is proactively addressing the growing threat of climate-related disasters by providing vital in-home medical services to at-risk seniors. This initiative underscores a broader commitment to integrated care and bolstering public medical services for vulnerable populations.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Seonam Hospital, recognized with a Hospital Director’s Citation, recently completed a two-week outreach program – running from July 1st to July 11th – focused on the southwestern districts of Seoul: Yangcheon, Gangseo, Guro, Geumcheon, and Yeongdeungpo. The program aimed to mitigate the health risks faced by elderly residents during periods of intense heat and heavy rainfall.
Expanding Healthcare Access in Southwest Seoul
This targeted medical outreach is part of a sustained healthcare network project initiated by the Public Medical Headquarters in 2023. The project specifically provides comprehensive care to 30 elderly individuals living alone in the aforementioned southwestern regions. The goal is to safeguard the health and well-being of a demographic particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of extreme weather events.
A senior official stated that the South-South Health Care Network Project is driven by a commitment to strengthening on-site public medical services and addressing gaps in care for the elderly. The initiative focuses on improving emergency response capabilities, promoting self-health management, and alleviating the challenges seniors face in accessing medical attention.
Multidisciplinary Teams and Essential Resources
During the visits, experienced multidisciplinary teams – comprised of doctors, nurses, and social workers – provided specialized medical care and essential medications directly to patients’ homes. In some cases, individuals were connected with additional support through existing medical institutions and welfare facilities.
Furthermore, the hospital distributed household health care kits valued at 2 million won to help seniors stay safe and healthy throughout the summer months. These kits likely contained items to combat heatstroke and manage related health concerns.
“This visit medical treatment focuses on helping the safety of life as well as medical services, as well as specialized medical services and community resources that are the most needed by the vulnerable groups,” explained Jang Young-soo, head of the Public Medical Headquarters at Seonam Hospital. “You can realize true integration care.”
One resident, a 73-year-old man from Yangcheon-gu with a disability, shared his relief, stating, “I was worried about going to the hospital in the heat of the sun.”
Adapting to a Changing Climate
The hospital’s leadership recognizes the escalating threat posed by the climate crisis. A hospital spokesperson emphasized that increasingly frequent seasonal disasters – including extreme heat, cold waves, and heavy rains – represent a significant danger to vulnerable populations.
“We will continue to develop on-site-centered public medical models by focusing on providing public medical services,” the spokesperson affirmed, signaling a long-term commitment to proactive and preventative healthcare strategies. This includes a dedication to refining public medical services to meet the evolving needs of the community in the face of climate change.
