Busan launches infectious disease testing service for foreign residents

Fishermen and foreign workers shake anchovies from fishing nets in Gijang County, Busan, Monday. Yonhap

Busan is rolling out an infectious disease testing program for foreign residents through a pilot program set to launch this month, bringing preventive on-site testing to centers serving foreign residents across the city.

The Sunday infectious disease testing services reflect a broader push by the southeastern port city to expand health care access for foreign residents who face language barriers and struggle to find time on weekdays, as the city’s foreign population rises.

Busan Metropolitan City said Tuesday the program will offer foreign residents testing for diseases including Hansen’s disease, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, parasitic infections and hepatitis B and C. It aims to detect infections early and provide follow-up care for those who test positive.

“While the city’s Korean population declines, the number of foreign residents in Busan continues to rise,” an official at Busan’s infectious disease control division told The Korea Times, emphasizing the rising importance of early detection of major infectious diseases among foreign residents as their population grows.

As of January, Busan had 68,746 foreign residents, accounting for 2.1 percent of its population, marking an increase of 310 from the previous month while the number of Korean nationals declined by 1,889.

The screenings will be held on Sundays on a quarterly basis: at the Busan Foreign Residents Center in Sasang District on March 29 and Sept. 18, the Gangseo District location of the Busan Support Center for Foreign Workers on June 28 and the Saha District location on Nov. 29.

“Many foreign residents work during the week and visit these centers on Sundays,” the official said. “By holding screenings there, we can also provide language support using existing interpretation services in English, Chinese, Vietnamese and Filipino.”

If a foreign resident is diagnosed with an infectious disease, the city will refer them to organizations such as the Korean National Tuberculosis Association for free treatment.

“Foreign residents are valued partners in our economy and community, and protecting their health helps safeguard all Busan citizens,” Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon said. “We will work with relevant institutions to strengthen the integrated infectious disease screening system so foreign residents in Busan can live safely and settle in the community.”

Beyond Busan, other local governments in Korea, including Incheon, have offered free health screenings for foreign residents to prevent and detect infectious diseases such as Hansen’s disease and tuberculosis. Some COVID-19 measures, however, drew criticism for reinforcing discriminatory perceptions toward foreign residents.

In 2021, the Seoul Metropolitan Government ordered all foreign workers in the city to undergo COVID-19 tests, warning that noncompliance could lead to fines of up to 2 million won ($1,357).

The city later withdrew the policy after criticism from migrant rights groups, which said it treated foreigners as sources of infection, and after the National Human Rights Commission of Korea said the measure was discriminatory.

“We are aware that the policy could inadvertently reinforce negative stereotypes about foreign residents, and concerns about that were raised at Monday’s meeting,” a Busan city official said, adding that the city will consider appropriate measures.