Dongjak-gu Supports Eco-friendly Agricultural Product Packages to Promote Health of Pregnant Women and Infants

Provision of eco-friendly agricultural products worth 480,000 KRW per person annually to mothers or pregnant women who gave birth after January 1, 2021... Results of operating the 'Smart Electric Safety System' to prevent electric shock accidents and electrical disasters caused by leakage

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Changwoo Lee) is supporting packages containing eco-friendly agricultural products and promoting the Nutrition Plus program to improve the health of pregnant women and infants residing in Dongjak-gu.

First, the "Eco-friendly Agricultural Products Package Support Project for Pregnant Women" is designed to supply eco-friendly agricultural products to pregnant women to protect their health, stimulate consumption, and help farmers struggling due to COVID-19.

The "Eco-friendly Agricultural Products Package for Pregnant Women" consists of fresh agricultural products certified as eco-friendly, some livestock products, and organic processed foods. It provides approximately KRW 480,000 per person annually (including a personal contribution of KRW 96,000) to mothers who gave birth after January 1, 2021, or pregnant women.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 10 a.m. on February 9 through the online shopping mall for eco-friendly agricultural products for pregnant women. Approved applicants can select their desired eco-friendly agricultural product packages from KRW 30,000 to KRW 100,000 per purchase, up to four times per month (16 times per year), and pay 20% of the cost themselves. The packages will then be delivered by courier.

Additionally, the district promotes the "Nutrition Plus Program," which provides nutrition education and counseling tailored to the health status of low-income pregnant women and infants, along with supplementary foods rich in essential nutrients.

For those with nutritional risk factors such as anemia, low body weight, growth retardation, or poor nutritional intake, customized supplementary food packages containing eco-friendly products such as rice, potatoes, carrots, eggs, and milk will be delivered twice a month for at least six months to one year. Nutrition assessments including physical measurements, anemia tests, and nutritional intake surveys, as well as education and counseling on breastfeeding, weaning foods, and picky eating prevention, will be provided to support the health of mothers and babies.

Eligible recipients are pregnant women, postpartum women, breastfeeding mothers, and infants under six years old living in households with incomes below 80% of the median income in Dongjak-gu. Applications can be made remotely by phone to the Public Health Center Nutrition Plus Center, via email (yyplus9450@dongjak.go.kr), or fax. Recipients are selected through monthly nutrition assessments and eligibility reviews. Note that recipients cannot receive support from both the eco-friendly agricultural products package program and the Nutrition Plus program simultaneously.

A Dongjak-gu official stated, "Through this support, we aim to provide safe and healthy food to pregnant women, solve nutritional problems, and improve dietary management capabilities. Furthermore, we hope this will promote the consumption of eco-friendly agricultural products."

Dongjak-gu (Mayor Changwoo Lee) announced on the 25th that the operation of the "Smart Electrical Safety System" using Internet of Things (IoT) technology last year prevented electric shock accidents and electrical disasters caused by leakage currents.

Since August last year, the district has been operating the "Smart Electrical Safety System" by installing 520 IoT electrical safety sensors free of charge in 11 Noryangjin goshiwon (boarding houses) with 390 rooms, where narrow rooms are closely packed and pose a risk of casualties in case of fire, and in 130 old houses (130 units).

The "Smart Electrical Safety System" detects the state of electricity usage by sensing current flow every 15 minutes through IoT sensors. It immediately sends app notifications and text messages to users upon detecting abnormal signs such as patterns that could cause electrical fires. This allows users to take prompt action in advance.

Furthermore, after installing the smart electrical safety system, on-site inspections were conducted on two goshiwon and three old houses where continuous leakage and electrical abnormalities had occurred for three months.

As a result, Mr. A (82), residing in an old house in Noryangjin-dong, was found to have a leakage current of 770mA from a paraffin bath used for thermal therapy in winter, and was advised to replace the device.

Also, Mr. B (75), who has difficulty walking, was found to have a high level of leakage current during charging of his electric wheelchair, and urgent inspection was arranged.

In addition, cases of leakage were detected where plugs were used with stripped wire insulation or multi-tap power strips without circuit breakers, preventing potential electric shock accidents and electrical fires caused by leakage currents.

After the on-site inspection, Mr. A, who received guidance on the causes of leakage and explanations on safe electricity use, said, "I am grateful for the free installation of the smart electrical safety system. I hope it will be expanded to neighbors so that everyone can live safely from electrical disasters."

Lee Jeongsim, Director of the Future City Division, said, "Through the smart electrical safety system, we will inform residents in advance that various electrical devices in daily life can be exposed to electrical safety accidents, thereby preventing electric shock accidents and electrical disasters."