보건복지부 영문홈페이지

Measures to better protect the medically vulnerable population with focus on at-home treatment

독거노인 등 취약계층 재택치료 중점 보호 방안

PRESS RELEASE

AUG 19, 2022

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters measures to better ensure timely face-to-face medical consultation for the medically vulnerable population such as the elderly living alone, for whom health information may be less accessible.

<Strengthening COVID-19 monitoring for the medically vulnerable via local welfare services>

To protect the medically vulnerable population from COVID-19 infection in the first place, elderly care service personnel will call or visit the elderly living alone to check their health condition such as respiratory symptoms and provide the elderly with health information such as how and where to get a COVID-19 test and healthcare facilities they can visit.

Also, for with COVID-19 under at-home treatment, a monitoring system using local resources and health and welfare service infrastructure will be established, so that the health condition of the medically vulnerable, such as the elderly living alone over 60 years of age, can be regularly checked at the beginning of at-home treatment so that they can receive face-to-face treatment promptly as needed.

Local governments will form task force teams using the public health centers’ home care and community care teams to call by phone and check the at-home patients’ health conditions 2-3 times a week at the early stage of at-home treatment. When needed, actual visits and prompt face-to-face medical services will be provided to prevent development of more severe symptoms.

<Strengthening all-time medical response system and improving access to information on clinics and hospitals providing face-to-face medical care>

Inspections will take place to check the infrastructure such as medical consultation centers to ensure 24/7 availability of emergency response, treatment, and transfer including at night and on holidays. Offline publicity efforts will also be continued to raise awareness of the services available to help ensure that the elderly can request and receive prompt medical services.

To prepare for emergencies during at-home treatment, a consultative body between local governments, 119 emergency services, and emergency rooms will be formed to operate a speedy transport and treatment system, and the operation status will be checked regularly so that the medical consultation centers (172 centers nationwide as of August 19) operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week including at night and on holidays.

Furthermore, offline publicity efforts for the elderly who are unfamiliar with online and mobile environment will be continued such as by distributing fliers and information about local clinics and hospitals providing face-to-face medical care for at-home COVID-19 patients, to help people receive timely, appropriate care as needed.

The government will continue to closely monitor the medically vulnerable in cooperation with local governments to promote effective management of COVID-19 for the elderly, including the elderly living alone.

// For inquiries contact Media Relations, Ministry of Health and Welfare

044-202-2047 or fairytale@korea.kr