South Korean regions strengthen integrated medical and welfare care systems

Experts and local governments in South Korea are focusing on strengthening integrated care systems to better connect medical, nursing, welfare, and housing services for those in need.

At a recent forum hosted by the Gyeonggi Research Institute, specialists emphasized that the effectiveness of integrated care depends more on the method of connecting services than the sheer quantity of available programs. They argued for a system that assesses an individual's health, housing, and economic situation to provide continuous, coordinated support. In Bucheon, a pilot program has already provided over 30,000 services with a 98% user satisfaction rate, though challenges regarding budget, staffing, and long-term management remain.

In Incheon's Michuhol-gu, specifically in the Dohwa 2 and 3 districts, local authorities are working to strengthen public-private cooperation. By engaging community welfare committees, the district aims to identify residents in need of medical or nursing care early and link them promptly to appropriate local resources, ensuring they can maintain stable lives within their own communities.