Observance of Health Day

Guiding by the theme "Working Together for Health"

The Ministry of Health and Welfare declared the theme of "working Together for Health"to commemorate the 34th Health Day and the 58th World Health Day on April 7 and presented citations to 284 in the field of medicine and health including those in the area of taking care of the Hansen't disease and Dr. Kim In-kwon, head of the Ae-yang Hospital in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, for his contribution to providing medical care for the neglected disabled patients for over 23 years.
Minister Rhyu Simin thanked those in the health service field for their devoted service to upgrade Korea's image in the world and made clear the need for continued government measures to promote non-smoking, the importance of management of brain blood vein diseases and shedding excess weight. The minister said the heart and brain diseases center will be set up and strengthen the system to bring patients within three hours of sudden development of their sicknesses for emergency medical treatment to prevent sudden death. He also called for the improvement in health check-ups to find early symptoms for the causes leading to heart and brain diseases including high blood pressure, diabetes, excessive smoking, and overweight and register the names of those who belong to the critical group for regular medical care.
The government will set up the government heart and brain diseases prevention committee chaired by Vice Health and Welfare Minister, which will draw up detailed policies for the prevention and care for those diseases. The move is part of the government plan to reduce the death rate from heart and brain diseases by 20 percent to 60 per 100,000 people from the current 77.2 per 100,000 people by 2010. The government projected that bringing down the death rate to the target level will have some 1.09 trillion won in social and economic effects.
In the ceremony held at the large auditorium of the Gwacheon Government Complex south of Seoul, Minister Rhyu presented the medals to those who made outstanding contribution in the area of health and medicine. Dr. Kim In-kwon, president of the Aeyang Hospital, won the highest medal presented with the Order of Civil Merit Mugunghwa Medal. Professor Yang Il-son of Yonsei University received the Order of Civil Merit Moran Medal for his contribution to the training of dieticians in the country by participating in the establishment of government policies for dieticians. Also, winning the Order of Civil Merit Mugunghwa Medal was Han Seok-won, chairman of the Korean Pharmacists Association for his role in leading social service activities and the settlement system to separate the medical practice and drug stores, environmental protection and the activities related to the prevention of drug addiction. Dr. Kim Yoon-soo, president of the Seoul National University Hospital, won the Order of Civil Merit Moran Medal for his contribution to upgrading national health plans by providing medical care to senior citizens living alone and destitute families.
Han Jun-sik, vice chairman of the Korea Chronic Disease Management Association, won the Order of Civil Merit Dongbaeg Medal for his role in work related to the prevention of chronic diseases and their management through public relations programs to draw public attention on the work around the country. Dr. Lee Jae-hyun was presented with the Order of Civil Merit Mogreon Medal for his role in building the foundation for the dentistry practice area, in setting up policies for dental health and the settlement of the health insurance system, along with his voluntary dental service to the low-income bracket citizens.
Dr. Park Yong-jun, head of Global Care, won the Order of Civil Merit Mogreon Medal, for his delivery of the message of love to those living in the shady areas of the Global Village through Global Care, upgrading the image of Korea in the world with the provision of medical and social welfare services.
Kim Won-bae, president of Dongah Pharmaceutical Co. won the Order of Civil Merit Seogreu Medal for his role in the development of new drugs by his firm for global marketing and upgrading the drug research in the country to advance the pharmaceutical industry of the country and returning corporate profit to society, thus contributing to the progress of national health and welfare.
Before the ceremony got underway, a video message on the participation of public health manpower and their role in society and a performance on the subject of realizing a healthy world were held. After the ceremony, model Hyun Young and singer Glass Box, who have been named ambassadors of public relations programs to prevent overweight, performed for the audience. nw

MOHW Minister Rhyu Simin delivers a commemorative speech at the 34th Health Day and 58th World Health Day on April 7 in Seoul.