These centers are typically small-scale medical institutions staffed by teams of at least three professionals, including a doctor (or Korean traditional medicine doctor), a nurse, and a social worker. (Image supported by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, July 7 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Saturday that 60 additional in-home long-term care medical centers have been designated nationwide, bringing the total number to 195 just two and a half years after the initiative began.
Launched in December 2022 with 28 sites, the program enables elderly individuals with limited mobility to receive both medical treatment and long-term care services from home. With this expansion, the centers now operate across 113 cities and districts.
Four regional public hospitals—in Daegu’s Seo District, Gangneung and Yeongwol in Gangwon Province, and Seosan in South Chungcheong—have been newly designated as in-home care centers, raising the total number of participating public hospitals to 17.
These centers are typically small-scale medical institutions staffed by teams of at least three professionals, including a doctor (or Korean traditional medicine doctor), a nurse, and a social worker. Eligible patients must be enrolled in the nation’s long-term care program for seniors and assessed by a physician as requiring home-based medical support. Residents of full-time nursing homes are excluded.
Under the program, physicians visit patients’ homes at least once a month, while nurses visit twice or more to assess health conditions, living environments, and coordinate treatment plans. The care model also links patients to other community resources, such as nutrition, housing, and social support services.
Yim Eul-ki, Director of Senior Policy at the ministry, said the government plans to continue expanding the network of in-home care centers to strengthen local infrastructure ahead of the rollout of the Integrated Care Support Act, scheduled to take effect next year.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
