[Sportschosun Jang Jong-ho] The Korea Health Management Association, chaired by Kim In-won and hereinafter referred to as the association, signed a business agreement with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family on the 25th at Government Complex Seoul to provide health screenings and help narrow health disparities for single mothers and fathers, single-parent families, and grandparent-headed families.
The signing ceremony was attended by association Secretary General Kang Wi-jung, Vice Minister Jeong Gu-chang of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and other key officials from both organizations. The agreement was promoted to close blind spots in health care for vulnerable families that can easily be neglected amid the double burden of earning a living and raising children, and to support preventive and systematic medical services. Under the agreement, the two sides will jointly carry out the annual "MediCheck Safe Health Screening Support Program," worth about 1.15 billion won. The association plans to use the specialized infrastructure of its health screening centers at 17 provincial branches nationwide to provide tailored comprehensive checkups and follow-up care based on the results.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will identify people in need of support through networks with local governments and family centers nationwide, and will back the effort with public outreach and administrative support so that families in health care blind spots can receive practical benefits.
Eligible recipients are single mothers and fathers, parents in single-parent families, and grandparents in grandparent-headed families whose income is at or below 65 percent of the median income. Those who wish to receive screenings can make reservations by phone at health screening centers of the association's 17 branches nationwide from July 1 to August 31.
Association Secretary General Kang Wi-jung said, "This agreement will go beyond simple medical support and serve as an opportunity to further strengthen the social safety net for vulnerable neighbors." He added, "We will devote the association's expertise, built over the past 60 years to promote public health, and do our utmost so that every family member can enjoy a healthy daily life."
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
