Hospital Ship

[Anchor Lead]

A hospital ship equipped with the staff and equipment to serve island residents who have difficulty getting access to medical facilities has made its first journey of the New Year. Here’s the story.

[Pkg]

This is a hospital ship, known as the general hospital of the seas. Its first destination in 2017 is Wonsando Island near Boryeong in Chungcheongdo Province. The medical staff set up their clinic ata local community center, to accomodate residents who live far away from the harbor.

[Soundbite] Kim Byeong-yeon(Public Health Doctor, Chungnam Hospital Ship) : "High blood pressure, diabetes and joint problems are the most common ailments. Islanders have weak joints because they engage in a lot of physical labor."

The medical staffs are welcome guests to the islanders, as it takes a full day to travel to the mainland for treatment.

[Soundbite] Park Byeong-seok(Wonsando Island Resident) : "I leave home at 7 a.m. to go to the hospital. It takes all day. I'm grateful that the ship comes here to treat us."

The ship is equipped with various equipment allowing treatment in internal, dental and Oriental medicine. The Chungnam Hospital Ship has been serving remote island residents for 39 years. The ship will continue its mission of safeguarding the health of island villagers with the aim of treating 200-thousand patients this year.