AI Care Robots and Telemedicine to Support Island Residents’ Health

Jeonnam Social Service Institute Launches Integrated Care Services

for Four Islands in the Province

Artificial intelligence (AI) care robots and non-face-to-face telemedicine services will be introduced to remote island villages in Jeonnam that have limited access to healthcare and caregiving resources.

The Jeonnam Social Service Institute announced on July 15, 2026, that it has signed a business agreement with Hydol Co., Soldok Co., Welfare Union Co., Jeonnam Bio Industry Promotion Agency Foundation, Jindo County Senior Welfare Center, Nokdong Home Welfare Center, Shinan Regional Self-Support Center, and Wando Regional Self-Support Center to ensure the successful implementation of the 2026 Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Social Service Vulnerable Areas Public Contest Project.

On the 15th, Jeonnam Social Service Institute signed a memorandum of understanding with Hyodol Co., Soldak Co., Bokji Union Co., Jeollanam-do Bio Industry Promotion Agency, Jindo Senior Welfare Center, Nokdong Home Care Welfare Center, Sinan Regional Self-Sufficiency Center, and Wando Regional Self-Sufficiency Center. Provided by Jeonnam Social Service Institute

This project is a Jeonnam-style integrated care model built jointly by the public and private sectors, enabling residents in island areas with difficult access to medical facilities to receive stable healthcare and caregiving services without leaving their homes.

The project sites include four islands: Sisan-do in Goheung, Soan-do in Wando, Sangjo-do in Jindo, and Jangsan-do in Shinan. Residents will receive a variety of services such as emotional support and health management using AI care robots, non-face-to-face telemedicine, and customized nutritional meal support.

A key feature of this initiative is that it reduces the inconvenience for island residents who had to travel by boat to mainland hospitals to receive treatment, allowing them to maintain ongoing health management in their familiar living environments.

Furthermore, local welfare centers and regional self-support centers will take a hands-on approach by directly delivering prescribed medications and customized nutritional meals, establishing a community-centric service system.

Shin Mikyung, President of Jeonnam Social Service Institute, stated, "Through this agreement, we will further strengthen the public-private cooperative system so that residents in healthcare and care-vulnerable regions can continuously receive the services they need where they live." She also emphasized, "We are committed to building a Jeonnam-style integrated care system to bridge the caregiving gap between different areas."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.