Dr. Suh Yoon-suck, center, works at the Culture Bank operated by Hana Bank in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, in this undated photo. Courtesy of Hana Bank

Dr. Suh Yoon-suck has been leading a clinic in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, to provide free medical services for foreign workers, international students and members of multicultural families.

These services are offered every other Sunday at the Culture Bank located near Cheonan Station, launched by Hana Bank in April 2019 in response to the city's fast-expanding foreign community.

"Our primary aim is to provide care to those without adequate health insurance coverage," Suh said during a telephone interview with The Korea Times.

"Dental care is in high demand as many patients often cannot visit a clinic except on Sundays. Many of them also present with internal medicine issues such as chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Additionally, since a significant number of the patients are laborers, musculoskeletal conditions are a common focus of the clinic's services."

Suh, a pediatrician, noted that, once or twice a year, the clinic conducts health screenings, including blood tests, and performs indirect X-ray screenings and tuberculosis testing with support from the Korea National Tuberculosis Association.

"Mobile clinic buses, equipped with specialized instruments like ultrasound machines, are also in operation, allowing us to provide care for conditions requiring such equipment, including ophthalmology and gynecology services. These buses are used approximately once every three months to expand access to care for our patients," he said.

Dentist and medical staff provide dental care at the Culture Bank operated by Hana Bank in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, in this undated photo. Courtesy of Hana Bank

According to Hana Bank, its Culture Bank serves as a global community center, aimed at fostering communication and harmony among foreign nationals. Hana's Cheonan Station branch, located on the same floor, caters to the unique needs of foreign workers by operating on Sundays, allowing them to access banking services that are otherwise difficult to use during weekdays.

The free clinic there, led by Suh, operates in partnership with the Rafael Clinic, which offers free medical and dental services for migrants in Seoul.

"Each clinic session involves around 30 volunteers, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, dentists and dental hygienists. Many students from medical, nursing, pharmacy, dental and dental hygiene schools also participate as volunteers," Suh said.

"We are always deeply grateful for the opportunity to share and assist those facing difficulties."

For patients experiencing financial hardship, Suh underscored that there is a secondary care support program. This program helps those diagnosed with serious illnesses like cancer by assessing their financial situation and referring them to bigger hospitals for advanced treatment or surgeries.

"It brings us great joy to see patients with severe conditions receive the help they need through these support programs," he said.

He said it is also highly meaningful for young medical students to find a sense of fulfillment through these activities.

"After participating in volunteer work, some students go on to pursue fields like social and public health, and others return as professional medical practitioners to volunteer at the clinic once they graduate," Suh said.

"The active involvement of young students allows for greater sharing and support. I hope that this spirit continues to grow, leading to a more compassionate society."

Foreign patients wait to receive free medical services at the Culture Bank operated by Hana Bank in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, in this undated photo. Courtesy of Hana Bank

Language barrier issues, the doctor noted, are resolved with the help of volunteer interpreters. These include not only Koreans fluent in foreign languages but also foreign volunteers who have lived in the country for a long time and are proficient in Korean.

"As the number of migrants continues to grow and many face challenges, I believe I will continue these activities for the foreseeable future, at least until society improves further," he said.