Jeonnam Social Service Institute Strengthens Emergency Care Including COVID-19

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Jeonnam Social Service Institute announced on the 22nd that it will strengthen emergency care services other than COVID-19 to address care gaps that may arise during the government's full lifting of social distancing and the return to normal life.

To this end, the current emergency care service system will be maintained, but the scope of emergency care applications, which were previously accepted mainly through city, county, and eup/myeon/dong offices, will be expanded to allow social welfare facilities to apply directly.

If a social welfare facility worker tests positive and there is a shortage of care personnel, emergency care support will be provided upon application.

Additionally, emergency care services other than COVID-19 will be provided to elderly, children, and disabled individuals whose income level is at or below 120% of the median income.

Emergency care services other than COVID-19 can be applied for at the nearest eup/myeon/dong office or Jeonnam Social Service Institute in cases such as ▲ sudden crises like illness or accidents ▲ inability to receive existing institutional services in a timely manner ▲ need for short-term services until welfare service linkage is established.

A representative of Jeonnam Social Service Institute said, “The long-awaited return to normal life is now within reach,” and added, “We will do our best to actively respond to care gaps that may occur during the recovery process and the continuously emerging welfare blind spots.”

So far, Jeonnam Social Service Institute has provided emergency care services to 114 people including elderly, children, and disabled individuals. Among them, 66 were care recipients related to COVID-19.

Furthermore, to actively respond to care demands arising from crisis situations other than COVID-19, additional personnel are being recruited on an ongoing basis.

Mr. Kim from Hwasun-gun, who has visual and hearing impairments and was using disability activity support services, overcame his crisis by using Jeonnam Social Service Institute’s emergency care after being notified of quarantine due to a COVID-19 positive diagnosis. He had no family to care for him and was unable to even prepare meals on his own.

Mr. Kim said, “When a disabled person living alone tests positive, there is nowhere to get help nearby, and it is difficult even to prepare meals,” and added, “I hope emergency care services will continue to be actively utilized by those in need.”