Goseong, South Korea – The Gyeongnam Province hospital ship kicked off its annual medical service on January 6th, setting sail for Jarando Island in Goseong County. This year, the vessel is expected to provide healthcare to approximately 2,500 residents across 7 cities and counties in the province.

The ship, a vital lifeline for residents in remote island communities, conducts monthly rounds to 51 islands. For 2023, the ship aims to treat 135,000 patients, a significant increase of 12,000 compared to the previous year.

Measuring 37.7 meters in length and 7.5 meters in width, the 162-ton vessel is equipped with a crew of 14, including medical staff providing internal medicine, dentistry, traditional Korean medicine, and home visits. In 2024, the ship traveled 6,337 miles to serve 41 islands, providing medical care to over 148,000 people.

Recognizing the unique needs of island communities, the Gyeongnam Provincial Government is investing 15 billion won to construct a new, 250-ton hospital ship. This state-of-the-art vessel, designed to be more accessible to islands, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and begin operations in 2027. With advanced medical equipment and expanded services, the new ship is poised to enhance healthcare for island residents.

"For 51 years, our hospital ship has been a steadfast guardian of the health of island residents," said Park Sung-kyu, head of the provincial health administration department. "We will spare no effort to ensure uninterrupted medical services and provide high-quality healthcare to those living in medically underserved areas."