The Lunar New Year holiday, a time for families and relatives to share warmth together, can be an especially isolating period for patients who must remain in hospital rooms while battling illness. Ahead of the Lunar New Year, hospitals across the country are reaching out to these patients with events designed to ease their emotional isolation and aid recovery.
According to medical industry sources on the 14th, Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine held various Lunar New Year events for patients who could not return to their hometowns during the holiday, bringing smiles to their faces.
Incheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine organized traditional games including "Bisukchigi" (stone-throwing game) to encourage physical activity among hospitalized patients. Medical staff participated in the events alongside patients, fostering closer relationships.
At Busan Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, staff members wore traditional "hanbok" attire and organized folk games including "Yutnori" (traditional board game), heightening the festive atmosphere. Prizes were awarded based on game results, boosting patient participation.
Daejeon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine held a "luck-of-the-draw Yutnori" event with penalties and missions, while Cheongju Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine organized a capsule-drawing event offering holiday gifts such as dried seaweed sets to both inpatients and outpatients. From the 13th to the 16th, the hospital plans to hold a lucky draw event and traditional ornament-making workshop for outpatients.
"I was disappointed to spend the Lunar New Year holiday in the hospital, but thanks to the events, I could enjoy the festive atmosphere," one patient who participated said. "I felt like Jaseng Hospital was healing not just my body but also my heart."
"We prepared these events hoping patients receiving treatment during the holiday could experience the Lunar New Year spirit, even briefly," said Park Byung-mo, Chairman of Jaseng Medical Foundation. "We will continue to provide medical services that care for patients' daily lives and emotional well-being beyond just treatment."
Outreach efforts also extended to marginalized neighbors, including homeless individuals. On the 11th, Seoul Medical Center provided free medical treatment to 200 homeless people near Seoul Station.
The free clinic was conducted as part of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Sharing Medical Volunteer Corps, operating out of the Dasiseogi Hope Center, which supports homeless individuals' self-reliance.
The Sharing Medical Volunteer Corps is an organization formed by nine municipal hospitals including Seoul Medical Center to serve as a control tower for medical response during disasters. During normal times, the group visits medically underserved populations to provide disease prevention, treatment, and health education.
The volunteer team set up an on-site clinic that day, conducting basic examinations including vital sign checks, oxygen saturation measurements, and blood glucose tests, along with physician consultations, nursing counseling, and medication guidance.
For cases requiring additional tests difficult to perform on-site, patients were referred to municipal hospitals including Seoul Medical Center for continuous treatment and health management.
"We prepared this to provide practical help by supporting treatment and health management for those who have difficulty with hygiene and health care," said Oh Seung-min, Team Leader of Seoul Medical Center's Health Care Network Team and family medicine specialist.
"I hope this medical support has been of some help to those in difficult circumstances," said Lee Hyun-seok, President of Seoul Medical Center. "Seoul Medical Center will continue its public healthcare role to ensure no marginalized or struggling citizens are left behind."