Mujugun Checks on Welfare by Delivering Health Drinks to Prevent Solitary Deaths

hy Uwa Branch and Muju County Social Welfare Council Join Forces

Muju County in North Jeolla Province has joined hands with 'hy (Korea Yakult) Uwa Branch (CEO Kim Jaeyong)' and 'Muju County Social Welfare Council (President Lee Gyupyeong)' to prevent solitary deaths.

The county announced that on the 16th, it signed an agreement related to the 'Health Drink Delivery and Well-being Check Service' at the county office, with about 10 representatives from the organizations in attendance.

Exterior view of Muju County Office. Provided by Muju County

During the signing ceremony, participants shared the project implementation plan and details, response and action methods in case of crisis situations, and the roles of each organization.

The solitary death prevention health drink delivery and well-being check service involves delivering health drinks such as milk, Yakult, and juice to the homes of middle-aged and elderly people living alone, while also checking on their well-being.

This initiative is drawing attention as it aims to reduce the social isolation of target residents and establish a local care system that can respond to crisis situations.

hy (Korea Yakult) and the Muju County Social Welfare Council plan to deliver three health drinks once a week and check on the well-being of 32 residents at risk of solitary death.

If unopened drinks are found or a crisis situation occurs, the information will be reported to the relevant township or town administrative welfare center and the county office's social welfare department, which will then take action such as welfare counseling, service provision, and coordination with related organizations.

County Governor Hwang Inhong said, "With the recent increase in single-person households and the weakening of family functions, the risk of solitary deaths is growing. In our county, with a large elderly population, this is an even greater concern. Now that the public and private sectors have joined hands through this agreement, we expect to be able to protect those at risk of solitary death more carefully."

Meanwhile, the county plans to devote its efforts to solitary death prevention projects beyond the health drink delivery and well-being check service, including improving sanitary environments, operating social network formation programs, and providing fall prevention supplies.