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Public Health Centers

Public health centers are public healthcare organizations established to promote thehealth of local residents and prevent and manage diseases. The responsibilities ofthe public health centers include healthcare programs, prevention and managementof infectious diseases, general medical practice, experiments and tests, public andfood hygiene management, guidance and management of medicines and generalpublic administration affairs. In terms of healthcare services, public health centersprovide treatment of chronic diseases, physical therapy, dental care and orientalhealthcare services. As the public health centers are established and operated by localgovernments, the scope, contents and costs of healthcare may vary. For details, pleasecontact the public health center in your area.

01 General Healthcare

General Healthcare
ItemsDescriptions
Scope of HealthcareBasic primary healthcare, diverse tests for chronic diseases including high blood pressure anddiabetes and physical therapy
Oriental HealthcareCounseling and oriental healthcare services
Dental CareOral health examination, counseling, preventive care, treatment of cavities, and tooth extraction
Medical ExpensesFees and medical expenses by the local health center are designated by ordinances of the localgovernment according to Article 25 of the Regional Public Health Act

02 On-site Health Care Provided by Public Health Centers

Professional health specialists such as nurses, physical therapists, nutritionists, etc., visit socially,culturally, and economically vulnerable groups, senior citizens over 65 years of age living alone,and elderly couples over 75 years of age to provide healthcare services including chronic diseasemanagement.

(1) Qualifications

  • Of the socially, culturally, and economically vulnerable groups who have difficulty using healthcareservices, the local government selects people who need a visiting service, targeting health-risk groupsand disease groups.
  • Senior citizens who are 65 years of age or older living alone, couples who are 75 years of age orolder, multicultural families, North Korean defectors, elderly living alone, local children’s centers (poorchildren), and other people referred from youth shelters, unauthorized facilities, other teams of thelocal health center, and regional social institutions for visits.

(2) Content of Service

  • Screening health problems (identify health habits and risk factors)
  • Management of chronic diseases (high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) and prevention of complications
  • Health management support for pregnant women, newborns, and infants
  • Prevention and management of frailty in old age
  • Health care service for multicultural families and North Korean defectors
  • Health education for health improvement such as changing health habits, etc.

(3) Program Methods

  • The Visiting Health Care Division identifies eligible applicants.
  • A staff member visits and registers the applicant, and assesses the living environment and health riskfactors of the applicant’s family.
  • Based on the analysis, the applicants are divided into intensive care group, regular care group, andself-manageable group.
  • Depending on the group, intensive visit services are provided or referred to a health center or outside resources.
    Selection as beneficiary
    Diagnosis of health problem
    Visit by a staff member

03 Free Mental Healthcare Services

Mental Health & Welfare Centers are public health organizations that diagnose patients with mentalillnesses, provide counseling and rehabilitation services, manage cases, and provide education and PRservices for mental health improvement.
Patients who have difficulties due to depression, mental health disorders and/or drug addiction mayseek counseling services and help from the nearest Mental Health & Welfare Center.

(1) Qualifications

  • The mental healthcare registration and management program is targeted for applicants in the regionwho are facing mental illness or other mental health concerns.
  • The program for the prevention of mental illness is available to all residents.

(2) How to Access Mental Health & Welfare Centers

Mental Health & Welfare Centers are operated from 09:00 to 18:00 during weekdays(Mondays through Fridays), but hours of operation may vary by center.
How to Use the Services
  • Visit a Mental Health & Welfare Center and fill out the application for registration.
  • Counseling and psychological test services are provided to new patients, and appropriate programsare selected based on the test and counseling results.
  • For more information on the services offered by Mental Health & Welfare Centers, call the MentalHealth Counseling Center (☎1577-0199).
Service fees :
free (Service fees may apply to patients who use special programs with high medical fees.)
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