Gangnam-gu Assembly marks one year of integrated care, vows to close service gaps

The Gangnam-gu Assembly reviewed the first year of the district's community integrated care program and recognized the dedication of frontline workers at an anniversary event Thursday.

The assembly attended the "Gangnam-gu Integrated Care First Anniversary Report Session," held at Gangnam Community Center in Daechi-dong, where lawmakers examined the program's progress and operational status over the past year.

The integrated care program connects elderly residents and people with disabilities to a range of medical, long-term care and welfare services so they can maintain healthy daily lives in their own homes and communities rather than in hospitals or institutions.

Gangnam-gu enacted a related ordinance in December last year and formally launched the program in March this year — in step with the enforcement of the Act on Integrated Support for Local Care Including Medical and Long-term Care Services — centering operations on community service centers and public health clinics across the district's 22 dong.

The event drew about 350 attendees, including Assembly Speaker Lee Jae-jin, Deputy Speaker Kim Hyeon-jeong, Economy and Urban Affairs Committee Chair Song Yeong-gwang, Welfare and Culture Committee Chair Oh On-nuri and 14 other assembly members, Gangnam-gu District Mayor Kim Hyeon-gi, representatives from medical and welfare institutions and service providers, and local residents.

The session opened with a commendation ceremony for those who made outstanding contributions to integrated care, followed by a progress report and operational update, and concluded with the sharing of field case studies. Participants reflected on the achievements of the past year and expressed gratitude for the efforts of workers who have supported residents' daily lives on the frontlines.

"I extend my deepest gratitude and respect to everyone who has quietly devoted themselves to integrated care over the past year," Assembly Speaker Lee Jae-jin said. "Thanks to the dedication of professionals and workers across health, residential and welfare fields, neighbors in need of care have been able to sustain their daily lives and preserve their dignity."

Lee added that the assembly would faithfully incorporate the frontline voices and cases shared at the session into its legislative work. "We will spare no effort in providing the institutional and fiscal support needed so that no resident who requires care is left behind," Lee said.