Social service workers to receive up to 49% discount on health checkups

The government and related agencies are joining forces to help cover health checkup costs for workers in social services, including welfare, childcare and elderly care.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Central Social Service Agency and the Korea Health Management Association signed a three-way MOU Thursday at the Central Social Service Agency in Jung-gu, Seoul, aimed at promoting the health of social service workers and creating a safer service environment.

The agreement was driven by the introduction last year of a drug testing regime for social service providers. It seeks to strengthen support for workers' compliance with drug testing requirements and their overall health management.

Under the MOU, the Korea Health Management Association began offering discounted drug testing and health screening fees to social service workers Thursday.

Depending on the type of examination, discounts range from about 30 to 45 percent for drug tests and about 20 to 49 percent for general health screenings.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Central Social Service Agency plan to publicize the support system and guide workers on how to access the discounts through regional branches of the Korea Health Management Association nationwide.

"The health of social service workers is a core factor directly tied to the quality and safety of services provided to the public," said Eun Seong-ho, director general of the ministry's Population and Social Services Policy Bureau. "We hope this agreement will ease the burden of testing on frontline workers, support their health management, and lay the groundwork for safer social service delivery."