This is a promotional poster for a program in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do Province, in which the city offers free medical service for foreign nationals on select days. (Hwaseong Special City)

By Yoo Yeon Gyeong

The municipal government of Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do Province, and the city's medical service volunteer group on Feb. 10 said they will offer free medical service on select days for medically vulnerable groups like foreign workers and multicultural families to improve their health.

The service will be offered five times this year -- Feb. 23, April 20, June 15, Aug. 17 and Oct. 19 -- to any foreign resident or multicultural family residing in Hwaseong, which was named a special city this year. The designation is for a municipality with a population of over one million, which entitles it to more administrative and financial privileges from the central government.

Patients can receive treatment in sectors ranging from internal medicine, dentistry, orthopedics, and obstetrics and gynecology as well as mental health consultations, physical therapy, and supply and prescription of medicine.

The medical volunteer group has 15 participating institutions including Dongtan City Hospital, Wonkwang General Hospital, Korean Physical Therapy Association, Hwaseong Pharmaceutical Association and the public health center on the city's westside. From this year, that number will rise to 17 as medical volunteers from universities will also join the group to offer more specialized and diverse services.

"As a special city, Hwaseong will do its best so that all 1.04 million of our residents can live a healthy and happy life," Hwaseong Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun said. "We will remove any medical blind spots for the socially vulnerable including foreign workers, and bolster the foundation for coexistence and cooperation in our community."

dusrud21@korea.kr