Cheongyang Health Screening Center
Safeguarding the Health of a County Where 38% Are Seniors Aged 65 and Over
A resident is undergoing a gastroscopy at the Cheongyang County Health Screening Center. Photo by Cheongyang County Office
Cheongyang County in South Chungcheong Province is gaining attention as a model local government responsible for residents' health, thanks to its efforts to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure and promote early disease prevention in line with the era of population aging. At the center of these changes is the proactive healthcare policy led by County Governor Kim Dongon.
The population of Cheongyang County is about 30,000, with approximately 38% aged 65 or older. Taking this demographic structure into account, Governor Kim established the Cheongyang County Health Screening Center in 2020, laying the foundation for public healthcare to address local medical vulnerabilities and protect the lives of elderly residents.
According to the county on May 8, the screening center operates a one-stop health screening system that significantly improves residents' access to checkups by providing not only general health screenings but also national screenings for the five major cancers (stomach, colorectal, liver, breast, and cervical cancer), infant and child health screenings, and health screenings for beneficiaries of medical aid and those at life transition stages?all in one place.
In particular, the center has established a system to detect serious diseases such as stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, and cerebral aneurysms at an early stage and promptly refer patients to advanced hospitals. This effectively addresses the healthcare blind spots in rural areas, where it is difficult to secure the "golden time" for treatment.
In fact, in February, a man in his 50s, referred to as Mr. A, was found to have a suspected gastric cancer lesion during a gastroscopy. He received a biopsy the same day and subsequently underwent surgery at Asan Medical Center in Seoul. In March, a woman in her 70s, referred to as Ms. B, was found to have bilateral cerebral aneurysms during a brain CT scan and was immediately referred to Eulji University Hospital in Daejeon for surgery. These are just some of the real-life cases where lives have been saved.
Governor Kim also provides free lung CT scans and comprehensive blood tests for residents aged 65 and older, enabling them to manage their health without financial burden.
As a result of these policy achievements, Cheongyang County Health Center was selected as the top institution for the National Health Screening Program in 2024 and was also recognized as an excellent institution in the establishment of the regional healthcare plan, solidifying its role as an innovative model for public healthcare.
Governor Kim Dongon stated, "True local autonomy is realized only when all residents can enjoy high-quality medical services close to home," and added, "We will continue to spare no budget or administrative effort to protect the health of our residents."
Currently, Cheongyang County Health Center has eight specialists in departments such as internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, and ophthalmology. For more information about health screenings, residents can contact the Cheongyang County Health Screening Center.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
