K-water held a launching ceremony for K-water Healthcare Sarangbang, a program offering free medical services to residents in communities near dams, on May 14 at the Bohyeonsan Dam downstream park in Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk Province. Over the years, K-water has been implementing a broad range of support programs to enhance the welfare of residents in areas near dams and increase their income in response to the growing risk of extinction facing regional communities. In a similar context, K-water has launched Healthcare Sarangbang, a free medical services program. Volunteers and medical professionals will visit local communities with limited access to medical services and offer free medical services to residents. In 2024, K-water will work with the Medical Welfare Social Cooperative and Gyeongbuk Citizens’ Foundation to provide integrated healthcare services using a medically equipped bus to residents in three counties—Yeongcheon, Cheongsong, and Gunwi—where Bohyeongsan Dam, Seongdeok Dam, and Gunwi Dam are located, respectively. Specifically, volunteers and medical professionals will visit medically underserved people including the elderly with mobility difficulties in communities near dams to provide a wide range of free medical services including blood tests, bone density scans, cardiac examination, and counseling on exercise, lifestyle, and medication. If the results show that a resident needs to take further tests, he or she will be referred to a clinic or a hospital accordingly. A total of 60 visits are scheduled until the end of the year and around 2,000 residents in 48 communities will benefit from the program. The launching ceremony was attended by K-water president Yun Seog-dae, National Assembly member Man-hee Lee, Mayor Ki-moon Choi of Yeongcheon City, Chairman Ki-tae Hah of the Yeongcheon City Council, Governor Jin-yeol Kim of Gunwi County, and officials from the medical community who pledged continued support and cooperation to improve the medical welfare of residents in the areas. The ceremony also featured other events including a pop concert and a healthcare information session to promote communication and a sense of solidarity with local residents.