Fellow Dentists Join 'Free Treatment' Campaign
"Must Not Cause Trouble on the Deceased's Final Journey"
Among the 179 victims of the Muan International Airport Jeju Air passenger plane disaster, it has been confirmed that a dentist from Gwangju was included. This dentist was known for his kindness to the local community and was a role model not only to residents but also among fellow doctors. Some doctors have announced that they will honor him by offering 'free medical treatment' to his patients.
According to Yonhap News, the Gwangju City Dental Association announced on the 1st that they will provide 'free medical treatment' in memory of Dentist Director A, a victim of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster. The free treatment will be offered to patients who regularly visited Director A's dental clinic.
After the obituary of Director A, a dentist in Heukseok-dong, Gwangju, was announced, fellow doctors stepped forward to provide 'free treatment.' Captured from an online community.
The association stated that dentists who graduated from the same university as the deceased or who share regional ties will assist the deceased’s orthodontic patients without additional charges, as the deceased was unable to complete their treatment. It is also reported that some dentists who did not personally know the deceased are honoring his dedication through donations and other means.
A hospital official explained on the 'Channel A' broadcast, "It was because of (the deceased’s) attitude of taking full responsibility for his patients until the end," adding, "We felt it would be inappropriate to cause any inconvenience during his final journey," as the reason for participating in the free treatment initiative.
A representative of the dental association also told the media, "Even if we did not know him well, he is remembered as a colleague who devoted himself to patients and made many donations," and added, "It seems that other dentists are continuing the long-standing good deeds through free treatment."
A line of citizens heading to the joint memorial altar for the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster extends outside the terminal at Muan International Airport in Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do, one day ago. Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, Director A’s dental clinic posted a notice stating that treatment would be suspended due to the obituary caused by the passenger plane accident following the dentist’s death. As this notice spread on social networking services (SNS), memorial messages continued among netizens. Some dentists also extended a helping hand, saying, "We will sincerely treat those who used to receive treatment at that dental clinic."
Meanwhile, Director A was a dentist operating a clinic in Heukseok-dong, Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju, and passed away in the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster that occurred at Muan International Airport on December 29 of last year.
The identities of all 179 victims of the disaster were confirmed as of 6 a.m. on the 1st. The government is providing emergency medical support, funeral services, and psychological support to the bereaved families, and has mobilized an accident response headquarters to investigate the exact cause of the accident.
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