Namdong-gu, Incheon recently announced on the 29th that it has been selected as a region for the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 'Dementia Management Primary Physician Pilot Project' and will provide services at participating medical institutions.
According to the district, the Ministry of Health and Welfare recruited participating medical institutions last April and selected 22 locations nationwide, including Namdong-gu, considering regional characteristics such as the number of applicants, regional balance, patient demand, and population size. Namdong-gu is the only district selected in Incheon.
The Dementia Management Primary Physician Pilot Project involves physicians specialized in dementia management who comprehensively manage not only the dementia symptoms of patients but also their overall health issues.
They provide in-depth education and counseling (including caregivers) on accurate knowledge about dementia and coping methods tailored to individual dementia symptoms, refer patients to the Namdong-gu Dementia Safety Center to receive related services, and also perform home visits, fulfilling the role of a primary physician.
The participating medical institutions in the pilot project are Nonhyeon Neurology Clinic, Gibun Joheun Neurology Clinic, Incheon Himchan General Hospital, Cham Mental Health Clinic, Mirae Neurology Clinic, and Hansarang Clinic, totaling six locations.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to operate the pilot project for two years and consider nationwide implementation from the second half of 2026. Based on the results of the first year, the pilot areas will be expanded in the second phase.
Park Jong-hyo, Mayor of Namdong-gu, said, "We hope that through this pilot project, dementia patients can maintain their lives where they live rather than in hospitals, while receiving high-quality treatment and management services."
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