Yeonggwang County establishes Integrated Care Division

Yeonggwang County has established a permanent Integrated Care Division to formalize its community-based welfare system. This move transitions the ‘Yeonggwang-style integrated care’ model from a temporary task force, which began in 2023, into a permanent administrative department.

The initiative focuses on a ‘people-centered’ approach where officials proactively visit residents rather than waiting for applications. The program aims to support elderly citizens and people with disabilities so they can remain in their homes by integrating medical, nursing, housing, and welfare services. Key services include nutritional meal delivery, home-visit medical care, hospital accompaniment for discharged patients, and specialized healing programs for those with depression.

To ensure a seamless safety net, the county coordinates efforts between public health centers, local township offices, medical institutions, and volunteer groups through regular integrated support meetings. The model has received multiple accolades from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, including excellence awards in 2023 and 2024, and a ministerial commendation in 2025, leading to frequent benchmarking visits from other local governments.