Seoul expands free health screenings for marriage migrants

A marriage migrant, left, receives interpretation support services at Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, in this undated file photo. Courtesy of the Seoul Metropolitan Government

Seoul is broadening its health support program for marriage migrants, reaching more foreign residents with expanded services including post-screening interpretation services and wider access to prenatal and childbirth classes.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday it will provide free comprehensive health screenings to 80 low-income marriage migrants in cooperation with Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital. Eligibility covers households earning at or below the median income level, set at about 5.36 million won per month for a family of three.

Screenings will run from April through November, covering more than 23 medical screening items including gastroscopy, mammography and cervical cancer tests. Applications are accepted through referrals from local institutions including family support centers in the applicant's district of residence. Those requiring follow-up care or specialist consultations after screenings will be connected with medical interpreters if needed.

To provide practical assistance and emotional support, immigrant women volunteers will provide interpretation for those reluctant to visit hospitals due to language barriers.

Services are currently available in Vietnamese, Chinese and Mongolian, with plans to train additional volunteers in other languages. To improve accessibility, patients can now be accompanied by volunteers at any hospital of their choice across Seoul upon request, replacing a system where they were stationed at specific facilities.

The city is also opening its 14-session childbirth education program to foreign students, workers and overseas Koreans, in addition to multicultural families, covering pregnancy, labor, postnatal care and newborn nutrition for around 25 families a year.

Details and application information are available on mcfamily.or.kr or through global.seoul.go.kr.

“Seoul will continue to provide tailored support so that foreign residents and multicultural families can have their right to health guaranteed and live comfortably as members of the local community,” said Park Eun-sook, head of the city's multicultural affairs division.