Gangnam-gu Operates 'COVID-19 Aftereffect Relief Counseling Clinic'

From the 11th, Medical Consultations and Depression Tests for Long COVID Symptoms, a Sequela of COVID-19, Will Be Conducted

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Jeong Soon-gyun) will operate the "COVID-19 Aftereffect Relief Counseling Clinic" starting from the 11th, the first of its kind among autonomous district health centers, to support residents struggling with aftereffects of COVID-19.

Some COVID-19 confirmed patients experience long COVID symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and loss of smell and taste even after recovery. With the rapid antigen testing previously conducted at the health center being suspended on the 11th, the existing space will be repurposed as a clinic providing resident health services.

The clinic is free for all residents to use, and its operating hours are weekdays from 9 AM to 6 PM. Doctors affiliated with the Gangnam-gu Health Center will provide consultations, and if treatment is necessary, patients will be referred to local hospitals or mental health welfare centers. Within the clinic, the "Mental Health Screening Center" offers depression tests, cognitive screening tests, and other services to address issues such as depression and memory decline.

Jeong Soon-gyun, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, said, "During the 7th term of the elected administration, Gangnam-gu operated a smart infectious disease center that enabled one-stop testing with a single QR code from the early stages of COVID-19. We were the first in the nation to introduce services such as smart entry logs via the mobile app The Gangnam, non-face-to-face electronic civil service applications, and COVID-19 test result verification services, which were recognized as exemplary cases of proactive administration." He added, "Gangnam-gu continues to conduct quarantine inspections of local facilities in preparation for a resurgence of the pandemic, and we hope residents suffering from COVID-19 aftereffects visit the counseling clinic to regain healing and stability."