Your Health
If you are ill or hurt and need to see a doctor, go to the neighborhood clinic
or doctor’s office. Think about what kind of doctor you need to see and find
a doctor/clinic that specializes in that area. Don’t forget to bring your health
insurance card if you have one.
Health Insurance
All employees employed under the Employment Permit Program must have
health insurance. Once you have health insurance, you enjoy the same benefits
as Koreans. The signup procedure is handled by your employer. The employer
pays 50% of the preminum and you pay the other 50%. If you show your health
insurance card at the hospital, the health insurance fund pays a portion (60%
on average) of the cost while you pay the rest. You can receive basic medical
support even if you are not properly registered.
▶ Health Insurance Benefits Do Not Apply If
Your hospital bills are covereed by your auto insurance or industrial accident
insurance; your employer pays the bills because you are hurt in an accident
while working; or you are a victim of an illegal (criminal) act and the offender
pays for the damages.
▶ If You Are a Foreigner and Do Not Have Health Insurance
If you are a foreign employee and do not have health insurance, you can use
a program that helps you pay your hospital bills if you pay a certain amount of
membership fee. To join the program, visit the nearest Foreign Worker Help
Desk office with 5,000 won signup fee, 6,000 won first month fee, two photos
and a copy of your passport. For private clinics, you pay 30 – 40% of the costs
while for general hospitals, you pay 40 - 50% of the costs.
Hospitals & Clinics
Medical facilities are divided into private clincs run by individual doctors and
general hospitals that provide medical services across a variety of specialties.
Private clinics where a small number of specialists provide medical services in
their areas of specialty, such as pediatrics, internal medicine or orthopedics, are
relatively easy to find in your neighborhood and offer easy access. On the other
hand, if you plan to see a doctor at a general hospital, it is best to make an
appointment beforehand as they can be quite crowded.
In order to provide convenient medical services, Gyeonggi Province has
designated what is called 24 Hour Foreigner Medical Centers and provides
budget assistance. The centers operate patient clinics for foreigners during the
daytime, and medical staff who speak foreign languages are on stand by in the
emergency centers at nighttime.
▶ Specialties
Herb Clinics
Health Centers and Free Clinics
Use oriental medicine for treatment. Prepare medication using tradiotnal
methods. They also use acupuncture and moxa cautery for treatment. A few
diseases including common cold are covered by health insurance.
• Acupuncture : Treat by stimulating specific points on the body using needlesharp
objects.
• Moxa cautery : Treat by applying heat to the diseased areas using mugwort
and other herbs.
• Cupping : Applies pressure to the diseased areas using certain cup-like tools
to remove unhealthy blood and facilitate blood circulation.
• Herbal medicine : Made by boiling a variety of medicinal herbs.
Health Centers and Free Clinics
These are government-run medical facilities and offer medical services for
basic diseases at low costs. They provide basic health checkups, a variety
of vaccinations and basic medicines. If you are pregnant, sign up at a health
center before 4 months into pregnancy to a variety of free medical services,
including regular checkups and iron supplements. Vaccinations for children are
also free.
In the areas with high concentrations of foreign resident population, there are
many free clinics where voluntary medical professionals work for free. Make
sure you know where the nearest free clinic is located in preparation for an
emergency.
Pharmacies
You need your doctor’s prescription to purchase medicine at a pharmacy.
You can buy medicine for common, simple symptoms, such as a headache or
indigestion, without a doctor's prescription.
▶ Emergency Medicines
In order to be able to respond quickly when you suddenly become ill or get
hurt, you must have an emergency medical kit at home. The following is a list
of basic medical items that must be included in your emergency medical kit in
case an unexpected emergency situation arises
• Fever reducer : To take when you run a fever.
• Painkiller : To take to relieve pain.
• Digestant (indigestion medicine) : To stimulate digestion when you have a
stomach ache.
• Diarreha medicine : To stop diarreah.
• Eye drops : To put in your eyes when your eyes are tired or you have an eye disease.
• Disinfectant : To apply to lacerations to prevent infection.
• Vaseline : To apply to light burns.
• Ant-itch liquid : To apply to insect bites, itchy spots, aczema and prickly heat rashes.
• Disinfecting band-aid : To apply to the wound for protection.
• Emergency medical kit : Includes emergency items, including gauze, cotton, a pari
of scissors, thermometer, disinfecting band-aids and
bandages. The price is between 20,000 and 40,000 won.
Medical Assistance for Foreign Workers
For low-income foreign workers, we recommendthat you go to one of the six
hospitals operated by the government-sponsored Gyeonggi Provincial Medical
Center. They provide free medical consultations for foreign workers who are not
being protected by the established system and a financial assistance of up to 5
million won for hospitalizations and surgeries.
▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Hospitals (www.medical.or.kr)
You can also save your medical expenses by using a private volunteer
organization. They provide a financial assistance of up to 5 million won
per person to cover the first time consultation, surgery and emergency
consultations. There are regular clinics in Anyang, Ansan and Shiheung, and
they also run free mobile clinics.
The Kyonggi-do (Gyeonggi) Medical Association
(Address: YoungHwa-dong; phone: 031-255-1397; Internet: www.kgkma.com)
The Korea Immigration Health Association (Foundation)
(Address: SongWol-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul; phone: 02-3147-0516;
Internet: www.mumk.org)
※ You can also call the Emergency Medical Information Center at “1339”
(no prefix). If you need interpretation assistance, call 1588-5644 (BBB
Interpretation Service).
24 Hour Foreigner Medical Center Hospitals
• Aju University Hospital (Woncheon-dong, Suwon)
– Daytime hours : 08:00 am – 17:00 pm; phone : 031-210-4311~2
– Emergency & nighttime hours : 031-219-7700 & 7770
• Catholic University Uijeongbu Seongmo Hospital
(GumO-dong, Uijeongbu)
– Daytime hours : 08:00 am – 17:00 pm; phone : 031-820-3636
– Emergency & nighttime hours: 011-9931-3435; 031-820-3300
Foreigner Free Clinics
▶ Gyeonggi
▶ Seoul
▶ When you burned yourself
If the burning is severe and the burned area is wide, you must seek professional
treatment. First, cover the burned area with a piece of disinfected gauze, check
the person’s breathing and quickly move him/her to a hospital. If it is not serious,
it is recommended that you hold the burned area under cold running water for
20 minutes or longer. Never rub the burned area and never try to puncture the
blisters. Apply Vaseline or anti-biotic ointment to the burned area.
▶ In case of an electric shock
Shut down the power immediately. If that is not possible, put on an outfit made
with conducting materials and separate the victim from the source of the shock
using a non-conducting tool (rubber gloves, etc.). After the victim is separated,
check to see if he/she is still breathing and feel the pulse. If the victim is not
breathing, perform a CPR; and if you cannot feel the pulse, perform a CPR and
a heart massage. As an electric shock may cause an internal burn injury, move
the victim immediately to the emergency room to seek medical treatment even if
he/she is conscious.
▶ When you have a bone fracture
If the fractured area looks out of shape or you can see the bone through a
break in the skin, disinfect and bandage the injured area and call for help. Keep
the injured area as still as possible and put a rolled-up blanket or a pillow under
the leg to keep it higher than the heart (in case the fracture is in the leg). If it is
a simple sprain, use the flexible bandage to wrap the injured area widely, keep
still and wait until the swelling subsides. Apply a bag of ice to relieve pain.
▶ When a finger(s) is cut off
It is possible to saw it back to its place so it is critically important to perform first
aid in a prompt manner. Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding and
hold the hand up (higher than the heart). Wrap the cut-off finger(s) in a clean
piece of gauze and place it in a bag of ice to take it to the hospital. Try not to
touch the wounded area.
Disease Management
▶ Contagious Disease Management
The contagious diseases listed below are managed by the government and
you can get free consultations, medicine and treatment at the government-run
health centers. If you have a sexually transmitted disease or AIDS, you can get
treatment without keeping your identity confidential. Since contagious diseases
can affect other people around you, go to a health center and seek medical help
immediately if you suspect symptoms.
▶ Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
These diseases are caused by bacterias and viruses and transmitted mostly
through a sexual intercourse with a carrier. They can be transmitted through
fingers or the mouth and when a mother gives birth to a baby. The safest way to
prevent the contraction is using condoms. If you find suspicious symptoms after
having a sexual intercourse, go to see a doctor (urologist for men and OBGY
specialist for women) immediately to seek diagnosis and treatment. You cannot
have sexual intercourse until the treatment is complete.
▶ Tuberculosis (TB)
When people with TB disease of the lungs or throat cough or sneeze, they can
put TB germs into the air. Then other people who breathe in the air containing
these germs can become infected. Generally, after the first two weeks of
drug therapy, most TB patients become non-infectious and therefore an early
detection and treatment is critically important. When first infected with the TB
germ, people usually do not feel sick or have any symptoms and the symptoms,
such as coughing, gradually begin to appear. Other symptoms include fever,
sweating and loss of weight.
▶ AIDS
AIDS is a disease transmitted through sexual intercourse, blood transfusion
and/or shavers. After contraction, the viruses remain dormant from six months
up to eight years. The major symptoms include a sudden loss of weight, profuse
sweating under both arms, fever, swelling in the neck and the armpits, red or
white spots in the mouth and unexplained diarreah. The patients lose immunity
against diseases and eventually life. Since there is no cure for AIDS now,
caution is the only and best way.
▶ Hepatitis
Hepatitis causes infection in the liver cells. The risk of being infected is high if
you share food, toothbrush and/or towels with the people with the dieases. It
can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse.
If you are ill or hurt and need to see a doctor, go to the neighborhood clinic
or doctor’s office. Think about what kind of doctor you need to see and find
a doctor/clinic that specializes in that area. Don’t forget to bring your health
insurance card if you have one.
Health Insurance
All employees employed under the Employment Permit Program must have
health insurance. Once you have health insurance, you enjoy the same benefits
as Koreans. The signup procedure is handled by your employer. The employer
pays 50% of the preminum and you pay the other 50%. If you show your health
insurance card at the hospital, the health insurance fund pays a portion (60%
on average) of the cost while you pay the rest. You can receive basic medical
support even if you are not properly registered.
▶ Health Insurance Benefits Do Not Apply If
Your hospital bills are covereed by your auto insurance or industrial accident
insurance; your employer pays the bills because you are hurt in an accident
while working; or you are a victim of an illegal (criminal) act and the offender
pays for the damages.
▶ If You Are a Foreigner and Do Not Have Health Insurance
If you are a foreign employee and do not have health insurance, you can use
a program that helps you pay your hospital bills if you pay a certain amount of
membership fee. To join the program, visit the nearest Foreign Worker Help
Desk office with 5,000 won signup fee, 6,000 won first month fee, two photos
and a copy of your passport. For private clinics, you pay 30 – 40% of the costs
while for general hospitals, you pay 40 - 50% of the costs.
Hospitals & Clinics
Medical facilities are divided into private clincs run by individual doctors and
general hospitals that provide medical services across a variety of specialties.
Private clinics where a small number of specialists provide medical services in
their areas of specialty, such as pediatrics, internal medicine or orthopedics, are
relatively easy to find in your neighborhood and offer easy access. On the other
hand, if you plan to see a doctor at a general hospital, it is best to make an
appointment beforehand as they can be quite crowded.
In order to provide convenient medical services, Gyeonggi Province has
designated what is called 24 Hour Foreigner Medical Centers and provides
budget assistance. The centers operate patient clinics for foreigners during the
daytime, and medical staff who speak foreign languages are on stand by in the
emergency centers at nighttime.
▶ Specialties
Herb Clinics
Health Centers and Free Clinics
Use oriental medicine for treatment. Prepare medication using tradiotnal
methods. They also use acupuncture and moxa cautery for treatment. A few
diseases including common cold are covered by health insurance.
• Acupuncture : Treat by stimulating specific points on the body using needlesharp
objects.
• Moxa cautery : Treat by applying heat to the diseased areas using mugwort
and other herbs.
• Cupping : Applies pressure to the diseased areas using certain cup-like tools
to remove unhealthy blood and facilitate blood circulation.
• Herbal medicine : Made by boiling a variety of medicinal herbs.
Health Centers and Free Clinics
These are government-run medical facilities and offer medical services for
basic diseases at low costs. They provide basic health checkups, a variety
of vaccinations and basic medicines. If you are pregnant, sign up at a health
center before 4 months into pregnancy to a variety of free medical services,
including regular checkups and iron supplements. Vaccinations for children are
also free.
In the areas with high concentrations of foreign resident population, there are
many free clinics where voluntary medical professionals work for free. Make
sure you know where the nearest free clinic is located in preparation for an
emergency.
Pharmacies
You need your doctor’s prescription to purchase medicine at a pharmacy.
You can buy medicine for common, simple symptoms, such as a headache or
indigestion, without a doctor's prescription.
▶ Emergency Medicines
In order to be able to respond quickly when you suddenly become ill or get
hurt, you must have an emergency medical kit at home. The following is a list
of basic medical items that must be included in your emergency medical kit in
case an unexpected emergency situation arises
• Fever reducer : To take when you run a fever.
• Painkiller : To take to relieve pain.
• Digestant (indigestion medicine) : To stimulate digestion when you have a
stomach ache.
• Diarreha medicine : To stop diarreah.
• Eye drops : To put in your eyes when your eyes are tired or you have an eye disease.
• Disinfectant : To apply to lacerations to prevent infection.
• Vaseline : To apply to light burns.
• Ant-itch liquid : To apply to insect bites, itchy spots, aczema and prickly heat rashes.
• Disinfecting band-aid : To apply to the wound for protection.
• Emergency medical kit : Includes emergency items, including gauze, cotton, a pari
of scissors, thermometer, disinfecting band-aids and
bandages. The price is between 20,000 and 40,000 won.
Medical Assistance for Foreign Workers
For low-income foreign workers, we recommendthat you go to one of the six
hospitals operated by the government-sponsored Gyeonggi Provincial Medical
Center. They provide free medical consultations for foreign workers who are not
being protected by the established system and a financial assistance of up to 5
million won for hospitalizations and surgeries.
▶ Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Hospitals (www.medical.or.kr)
You can also save your medical expenses by using a private volunteer
organization. They provide a financial assistance of up to 5 million won
per person to cover the first time consultation, surgery and emergency
consultations. There are regular clinics in Anyang, Ansan and Shiheung, and
they also run free mobile clinics.
The Kyonggi-do (Gyeonggi) Medical Association
(Address: YoungHwa-dong; phone: 031-255-1397; Internet: www.kgkma.com)
The Korea Immigration Health Association (Foundation)
(Address: SongWol-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul; phone: 02-3147-0516;
Internet: www.mumk.org)
※ You can also call the Emergency Medical Information Center at “1339”
(no prefix). If you need interpretation assistance, call 1588-5644 (BBB
Interpretation Service).
24 Hour Foreigner Medical Center Hospitals
• Aju University Hospital (Woncheon-dong, Suwon)
– Daytime hours : 08:00 am – 17:00 pm; phone : 031-210-4311~2
– Emergency & nighttime hours : 031-219-7700 & 7770
• Catholic University Uijeongbu Seongmo Hospital
(GumO-dong, Uijeongbu)
– Daytime hours : 08:00 am – 17:00 pm; phone : 031-820-3636
– Emergency & nighttime hours: 011-9931-3435; 031-820-3300
Foreigner Free Clinics
▶ Gyeonggi
▶ Seoul
▶ When you burned yourself
If the burning is severe and the burned area is wide, you must seek professional
treatment. First, cover the burned area with a piece of disinfected gauze, check
the person’s breathing and quickly move him/her to a hospital. If it is not serious,
it is recommended that you hold the burned area under cold running water for
20 minutes or longer. Never rub the burned area and never try to puncture the
blisters. Apply Vaseline or anti-biotic ointment to the burned area.
▶ In case of an electric shock
Shut down the power immediately. If that is not possible, put on an outfit made
with conducting materials and separate the victim from the source of the shock
using a non-conducting tool (rubber gloves, etc.). After the victim is separated,
check to see if he/she is still breathing and feel the pulse. If the victim is not
breathing, perform a CPR; and if you cannot feel the pulse, perform a CPR and
a heart massage. As an electric shock may cause an internal burn injury, move
the victim immediately to the emergency room to seek medical treatment even if
he/she is conscious.
▶ When you have a bone fracture
If the fractured area looks out of shape or you can see the bone through a
break in the skin, disinfect and bandage the injured area and call for help. Keep
the injured area as still as possible and put a rolled-up blanket or a pillow under
the leg to keep it higher than the heart (in case the fracture is in the leg). If it is
a simple sprain, use the flexible bandage to wrap the injured area widely, keep
still and wait until the swelling subsides. Apply a bag of ice to relieve pain.
▶ When a finger(s) is cut off
It is possible to saw it back to its place so it is critically important to perform first
aid in a prompt manner. Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding and
hold the hand up (higher than the heart). Wrap the cut-off finger(s) in a clean
piece of gauze and place it in a bag of ice to take it to the hospital. Try not to
touch the wounded area.
Disease Management
▶ Contagious Disease Management
The contagious diseases listed below are managed by the government and
you can get free consultations, medicine and treatment at the government-run
health centers. If you have a sexually transmitted disease or AIDS, you can get
treatment without keeping your identity confidential. Since contagious diseases
can affect other people around you, go to a health center and seek medical help
immediately if you suspect symptoms.
▶ Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)
These diseases are caused by bacterias and viruses and transmitted mostly
through a sexual intercourse with a carrier. They can be transmitted through
fingers or the mouth and when a mother gives birth to a baby. The safest way to
prevent the contraction is using condoms. If you find suspicious symptoms after
having a sexual intercourse, go to see a doctor (urologist for men and OBGY
specialist for women) immediately to seek diagnosis and treatment. You cannot
have sexual intercourse until the treatment is complete.
▶ Tuberculosis (TB)
When people with TB disease of the lungs or throat cough or sneeze, they can
put TB germs into the air. Then other people who breathe in the air containing
these germs can become infected. Generally, after the first two weeks of
drug therapy, most TB patients become non-infectious and therefore an early
detection and treatment is critically important. When first infected with the TB
germ, people usually do not feel sick or have any symptoms and the symptoms,
such as coughing, gradually begin to appear. Other symptoms include fever,
sweating and loss of weight.
▶ AIDS
AIDS is a disease transmitted through sexual intercourse, blood transfusion
and/or shavers. After contraction, the viruses remain dormant from six months
up to eight years. The major symptoms include a sudden loss of weight, profuse
sweating under both arms, fever, swelling in the neck and the armpits, red or
white spots in the mouth and unexplained diarreah. The patients lose immunity
against diseases and eventually life. Since there is no cure for AIDS now,
caution is the only and best way.
▶ Hepatitis
Hepatitis causes infection in the liver cells. The risk of being infected is high if
you share food, toothbrush and/or towels with the people with the dieases. It
can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse.
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[an inquiry] Director of Information & Communication
82-31-249-2759
* This is an example of the official international blog of Gyeonggi Province.
* The Korean contents above are supposed to be translated into English, Chinese, and Japanese.
* We plan to organize and introduce selected contents from the existing international website, search websites, and blogs.
* If you'd like to request additional information, please do so by making a post below or on the international website Q&A.
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