Gyeongnam Office of Education to Provide 'Lung Cancer Prevention Health Screenings' for 5,900 School Cafeteria Workers

From Diagnosis to Treatment and Follow-Up Care
Screening Costs Paid Directly by the Office of Education

Starting in March, the Gyeongnam Office of Education will conduct 'lung cancer prevention health screenings' for approximately 5,900 cafeteria workers employed at both public and private schools.

On March 3, the Office announced that it will significantly strengthen the lung cancer prevention screenings that have been implemented in stages since 2022, in order to protect the health rights of employees and create a safer working environment.

The enhanced screening process will integrate several steps into a single program: completing a self-developed questionnaire, consultations with occupational and environmental medicine specialists, low-dose chest CT (computed tomography) scans, and follow-up management based on the screening results.

In particular, specialists will provide direct consultations, considering the working conditions and job characteristics of cafeteria workers.

The core objective is to establish a 'prevention-focused virtuous cycle health management system' that is responsible not only for one-time screening but also for ongoing follow-up care based on the screening results.

Gyeongnam Office of Education. Photo by Se-ryeong Lee

To achieve this, the Office developed a sophisticated questionnaire with advice from occupational health physicians, provided training for cafeteria staff to improve the accuracy of responses, designated 10 state-authorized lung cancer screening institutions within the province, and conducted training for those in charge-all as part of its advance preparations.

Additionally, the Office of Education will pay screening costs directly to hospitals, thereby reducing administrative work for schools and making the process more convenient for those being screened.

The health screenings will proceed in the following order: completion of the questionnaire, specialist consultation, and then low-dose chest CT (computed tomography) scans.

If the results indicate a suspicion of lung cancer, additional financial support will be provided for further, more detailed examinations.

For those who require ongoing monitoring based on the screening results, their health status will be checked regularly, and if further treatment is necessary, their condition will be closely monitored to prevent deterioration.

If a worker is diagnosed with lung cancer, guidance will be given on the process for industrial accident approval, and health management support will be provided in accordance with the 'Comprehensive Management Plan for Lung Cancer Among Cafeteria Workers' established in July last year.

After completing treatment, a multidimensional support system will be implemented to help workers return smoothly to their workplaces, including an assessment of their suitability for work.

Superintendent Park Jonghoon stated, "This health screening program has been systematically promoted from the preparatory stage, fully reflecting opinions from the field. We will continue to provide support to ensure the program runs smoothly and stably in schools, and we will further enhance the management system to better protect the health of cafeteria workers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.