Kim Dong-yeon Strengthens Heat Wave Safety Measures for Vulnerable Groups Including Elderly Living Alone, Issues Special Directives to Cities and Counties

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] As of 10 a.m. on the 2nd, a heat wave advisory was issued for 30 cities and counties across the province, with Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon urging cities and counties to strengthen safety protection measures for vulnerable groups affected by heat waves, including elderly living alone and agricultural workers.

The province issued special directives from the governor on heat wave preparedness containing these contents to each city and county on the 2nd.

Governor Kim stated, "Most regions in the province are experiencing heat waves with apparent temperatures around 33°C, and there are concerns about heat-related illnesses affecting vulnerable groups due to temperatures higher than the seasonal average. I hope each municipality will strengthen preventive measures in a comprehensive and thorough manner to ensure there are no blind spots in heat wave damage prevention."

Accordingly, the province requested the following measures to minimize casualties from heat waves: △Strengthening implementation of safety protection measures including welfare checks and surveillance of heat wave vulnerable groups (elderly living alone, construction site outdoor workers, field and farm workers) △Identifying status of summer sports events and confirming safety accident prevention measures △Promoting suspension of outdoor work during peak heat hours (2-5 p.m.) and active use of rest facilities and cooling centers △Updating information on cooling centers and inspecting operational status △Actively promoting heat wave response guidelines to minimize heat-related illness damage.

The province has been operating a joint dedicated task force for heat wave preparedness since July 29th, which consists of 12 members organized into 6 teams: situation command, welfare countermeasures, health management support, agricultural products countermeasures, rescue and emergency medical services, and public relations.

Additionally, the province is implementing a "home health management project for heat wave response" targeting vulnerable groups in the province.

The heat wave response home health management project focuses on visiting the homes of health-vulnerable groups including 140,000 households of elderly, mobility-impaired individuals, and chronic disease patients who are susceptible to heat waves, and providing customized health management services through health center visiting nurses and health management personnel via home visits, phone calls, text messages, and other methods.

A heat wave response management system will be established and operated centered on when heat wave advisories are issued as the daily maximum apparent temperature rises above 33℃, and in cooperation with health centers in each city and county, guidance on △dehydration and heat stroke prevention education △health status monitoring △heat wave response guidelines △emergency response measures will be provided. Additionally, health supplies for heat wave preparedness such as umbrellas, cooling scarves, and salt glucose will be provided to each city and county.

Meanwhile, the province has been operating the Gyeonggi Climate Insurance, the first of its kind nationwide, since April 11th, providing diagnosis fees (100,000 won) upon diagnosis of heat-related and cold-related illnesses, enabling all provincial residents to receive insurance benefits for heat-related illnesses and other injuries during this year's heat wave season.