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] With heat wave special alerts issued across 30 cities and counties in the province at 10 a.m. on the 2nd, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon urged cities and counties to strengthen safety protection measures for heat wave-vulnerable groups including elderly living alone and agricultural workers.

The province urgently transmitted the governor's special directives on heat wave preparedness containing these contents to each city and county on the 2nd.

Governor Kim stated, "Most areas in the province are experiencing heat waves with apparent temperatures around 33 degrees Celsius, and heat-related illness damage among vulnerable groups is of concern due to temperatures higher than normal," and added, "I hope that preventive measures will be strengthened densely and meticulously to ensure there are no blind spots in heat wave damage prevention."

Accordingly, the province is implementing the following measures to minimize casualties from the heat wave: △Strengthening safety protection measures such as health checks and surveillance for heat wave-vulnerable groups (elderly living alone, outdoor construction workers, agricultural and paddy field 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 cool-down shelters △Updating information on cool-down shelters and inspecting operational status △Actively promoting heat wave preparedness guidelines to minimize heat-related illness damage.

The province has been operating a joint dedicated task force (TF) for heat wave preparedness since the 29th of last month, consisting of 12 members across 6 teams: overall situation coordination, welfare measures, health management support, agricultural and fishery products measures, rescue and first aid, and publicity.

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

The heat wave response home health management project targets 140,000 households of health-vulnerable groups including elderly susceptible to heat waves, those with mobility difficulties, and those with chronic diseases, with public health center visiting nurses and health management personnel conducting home visits or providing health checks through phone calls and text messages while providing customized health management services as its core.

A heat wave response situation management system is established and operated centered on the period when heat wave special alerts are issued as the daily maximum apparent temperature rises to 33°C or higher, and in cooperation with local health centers in each city and county, guidance will be provided on △dehydration and heat stroke prevention education △health status monitoring △heat wave action guidelines △emergency response procedures. Additionally, health supplies for heat wave preparedness such as parasols, cool scarves, and salt glucose will be provided by each city and county.

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