Haenam-gun's 'Healthy to 100 Years Old' Happiness Bus Receives Great Response

Touring Eup and Myeon... Recognized as a 'Filial Bus' Protecting Senior Citizens' Health

The senior citizens' center in Oeho-ri, Masan-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, was filled with about 20 elderly people. Despite the sudden cold snap on the 19th, they gathered because it was the day the Health Bus visited the village. The Health Bus, a regular bus converted to include a dental treatment room and a medical examination room, is recognized as a filial bus by residents of the myeon-level areas who have no medical institutions nearby and have to go all the way to the town center for treatment.

According to the county on the 20th, the "Health 100-Year Happiness Bus," which visits residents with limited access to healthcare, is receiving great responses.

Haenam-gun 'Healthy to 100 Years Old' Happiness Bus
[Photo by Haenam-gun]

Since last year, the Happiness Bus has been operating with a team of eight specialists including general practitioners, dentists, public health doctors in Korean medicine, nurses, dental hygienists, and physical therapists. They visit senior citizens' centers in remote areas like Obyeokji, where there are no clinics and transportation is inconvenient.

They provide tailored medical services such as medical examinations for the elderly, physical therapy, blood pressure, blood sugar, dementia tests, and seasonal health education.

Last year, the bus traveled to 123 locations within the county, providing medical benefits to 3,753 people. In particular, a survey conducted among seniors aged 65 and older showed a 97% satisfaction rate for medical treatment and a 99% satisfaction rate for health education, receiving strong support from local residents.

This year, the Health 100-Year Bus continues to run vigorously. Since starting operations early this year, it plans to visit about 30 villages by March. Reflecting residents' opinions, two additional staff members, including a general practitioner and a nurse, have been added to provide counseling and education to prevent medication misuse.

A county official said, "Through the Health 100-Year Happiness Bus, we will do our best to eliminate medical disparities and gaps, and ensure there are no blind spots in protecting the health of our residents."