Jeonbuk Province Launches 'Rural Visiting Medical Bus Project'

"Addressing the Shortage of Medical Infrastructure in Rural Areas"

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province will officially launch the 'Visiting Rural Medical Bus Project' for 10 cities and counties in the province starting from the 13th.

According to the province, this project, first implemented last year, was established to address the lack of medical infrastructure in rural areas and to promote the health of local residents.

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province will officially launch the "Visiting Rural House Call Bus Project" targeting 10 cities and counties within the province starting from the 13th. Provided by Jeonbuk Province

This project primarily targets farmers in rural areas, residents aged 60 and above, and vulnerable groups. Medical professionals from partner hospitals visit directly to provide practical medical services such as Western and Korean medicine consultations, dental and ophthalmology care, and physical therapy, thereby helping to resolve gaps in healthcare access.

This year, a total project budget of 1.05 billion KRW will be invested to operate the service 31 times, aiming to benefit approximately 9,300 residents.

The province will also increase the support amount per location from 24 million KRW to 36 million KRW to further enhance the quality of medical services. In cooperation with Jeonbuk Autonomous Province public medical institutions and partner hospitals, the province plans to provide at least three on-site medical services per city and county on average.

Notably, starting this year, the project will newly include health exercise managers to offer customized exercise prescription services, supporting more systematic physical health management for rural residents. The project will expand beyond treatment-focused support to establish a comprehensive medical service system encompassing prevention and health promotion.

The province plans to expand visiting medical services so that residents in rural areas with limited access to healthcare can receive more stable and continuous medical benefits. At the same time, it will build a regionally tailored health management system to address gaps in medical welfare. Through these efforts, the province aims to improve the living conditions in rural areas and accelerate the creation of vibrant rural communities where anyone would want to live.

Choi Jaeyong, Director of the Agricultural Life and Livestock Industry Bureau of the province, said, "We plan to further expand the medical bus project to provide practical medical support to residents in rural areas with poor transportation and medical infrastructure," and added, "We will continue to support this project so that it not only addresses gaps in healthcare access but also contributes to solving rural aging issues and improving living conditions."