More Seoulites use medical helpline

Seoul’s 24-hour medical service call center was dialed 436,025 times by citizens and 6,241 times by foreign residents last year ― up about 17 percent from the previous year.

“We will continue to make sure our citizens and foreign residents receive fast, kind and appropriate medical services from our professional doctors, nurses and urgent medical staff,” said Mo Hyun-hee, director of health policy.

About 92 percent of citizens said they are satisfied with the service, up by 32 percent from the previous year and 88 percent said they are aware of the service.

Most wanted to know the best hospital and clinic options for their symptoms. They were instructed on urgent medical treatment such as CPR and in choking and to receive consulting in emergency medical situations.

The service has been offered in multiple languages including English, Japanese and Chinese since 2008. Since the launch, the number of foreigners using the service has more than doubled, the Seoul city said.

The center has also taught CPR to about 2,500 citizens so that they could be of service in emergencies.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)