Gyeongsangbuk-do Province is launching a pilot program to provide financial assistance to foreign residents who lack access to healthcare due to not being enrolled in the National Health Insurance program. The initiative aims to address the medical needs of vulnerable foreigners within the province.

Starting this month, the program will offer support to registered foreigners residing in Gyeongsangbuk-do who are not covered by National Health Insurance. This pilot project focuses on providing aid to vulnerable patients in need of medical attention.

The program will cover expenses incurred at three provincial medical centers located in Pohang, Kimcheon, and Andong. Each eligible individual can receive up to 2 million won to cover costs related to hospitalization, surgery, outpatient treatment, and childbirth.

Priority will be given to patients requiring urgent care, including those with emergency conditions, severe illnesses, mental health issues, or financial hardship. Eligibility for the program will be determined through assessments and consultations at each of the participating provincial medical centers.

The province initiated this pilot project to facilitate the integration of vulnerable foreign residents into the local community. By monitoring the pilot program and analyzing its effectiveness, Gyeongsangbuk-do plans to refine the program and officially launch it next year.

Furthermore, the province intends to collaborate with 22 cities and counties to designate additional healthcare providers for the program and establish a system for medical interpretation and home visit services.

Gyeongsangbuk-do also aims to partner with local private medical institutions and non-profit organizations to develop supplementary support measures. The province plans to offer preventive medical services and counseling to address the healthcare disparities faced by foreign residents.

According to the current National Health Insurance Act, foreigners are eligible to enroll in the program through their workplace or region of residence. However, some foreigners face challenges in accessing healthcare due to financial constraints, language barriers, and limited awareness of available medical services, even if they meet the enrollment criteria.

Gyeongsangbuk-do recognizes the existence of these healthcare blind spots and aims to bridge the gap by providing support to vulnerable foreign residents.

Jeong Seong-hyeon, head of Gyeongsangbuk-do's Local Era Policy Bureau, emphasized the province's commitment to supporting foreign residents in accessing essential medical services. He stated, "We will support foreign residents in medical blind spots to receive minimal medical services. We will continue to pursue responsible policies so that foreign residents can settle stably in Gyeongsangbuk-do."