Daewoong Pharmaceutical has taken the initiative to bridge the healthcare gap in medically underserved areas by providing on-site medical support utilizing digital healthcare technology.
On November 25, Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced that it had conducted a digital healthcare medical volunteer service on October 23 for approximately 80 residents of Yeongguimi-myeon, Hongcheon County, Gangwon Province, with the participation of Hongcheon County Mayor Shin Youngjae. This activity was joined by Kim Dongil, Chairman of the Korea Health Screening Institutions Association, Kang Wonsul, Vice Chairman and Director of the Preventive Health Screening Center at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, as well as other association staff. They provided comprehensive health screenings and personalized consultation services based on AI and wearable technologies.
A resident of Hongcheon County is undergoing fundus examination using AI real-name disease diagnosis solutions "Whiskey" and "Optina." Daewoong Pharmaceutical
This volunteer effort was organized to improve medical accessibility in areas facing potential healthcare gaps due to aging populations and declining numbers of residents. In August, Hongcheon County was designated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as a “high-risk area for population extinction,” with the proportion of residents aged 65 and older reaching 34%, indicating rapid aging. As a result, disparities in healthcare services are widening due to a shrinking working-age population and a decrease in medical personnel.
In addition to Daewoong Pharmaceutical, leading digital healthcare companies such as Sears Technology, ExoSystems, Medical AI, and ARC participated in the event. On-site, advanced digital health screening programs were conducted using devices such as the wearable electrocardiogram device “Mobicare,” the AI heart failure early diagnosis software “Etia LVSD,” the AI real-name disease diagnosis solution “Whiskey (WISKY)” and fundus camera “Optina (OPTiNA),” as well as the AI-based sarcopenia analysis solution “Exomed-DeepSarc (DeepSarc).”
The screening results revealed warning signs in the health of many residents. Among 60 individuals tested with “Mobicare,” about 23 (38%) showed suspected arrhythmias such as premature contractions, tachycardia, or bradycardia. Notably, there were 12 cases of suspected tachycardia, the highest among the findings, and 5 cases of complex abnormalities. Fundus examinations using “Optina” and “Whiskey” indicated that 30 out of 65 people (46%) showed suspected signs of blinding diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy, highlighting the need for preventive management of ophthalmic diseases in the elderly.
Additionally, the “DeepSarc” assessment classified 28 out of 66 people (42%) as being in the suspected stage of sarcopenia. Since sarcopenia can reduce daily activity capacity and increase the risk of falls, early management is crucial. At the event, individuals with concerning results received personalized recommendations for exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle improvements, and were advised to seek hospital care or further testing for a more precise diagnosis if necessary.
This volunteer program was significant not only as a simple health screening but also as a demonstration of personalized health management using AI technology, presenting a new model for community healthcare. Participants received guidance on disease risk based on real-time collection and analysis of individual health indicators by AI, and personalized health consultations were provided, resulting in high satisfaction. The event also confirmed that digital healthcare solutions, which can be used immediately without separate installation or equipment, enable effective medical services even in regions with limited medical infrastructure.
Cho Byungha, Head of the Digital Healthcare Division at Daewoong Pharmaceutical, stated, “This medical volunteer service demonstrated that digital healthcare technology can play a practical role in reducing health disparities in medically underserved regions. We will continue to collaborate with local communities to provide sustainable healthcare solutions and actively practice ESG management.”
Meanwhile, Daewoong Pharmaceutical is continuously expanding its ESG activities to address healthcare blind spots, including this volunteer service in Hongcheon County, volunteer work in island regions such as Yukdo and Daebudo, and support for health screenings for foreign workers, multicultural families, and North Korean defectors.
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