Six Years of Compassion: Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital’s ‘Saranghoe’ Support Group Empowers Medically Vulnerable Patients

Breaking: Six-Year Charity Initiative Expands Aid for Medically Vulnerable at Sejong Hospital

Sejong, South korea — A patient-support group at Sejong Chungnam national University Hospital marked six years of operation and continues to extend help to those facing medical and financial hardship. The Saranghoe program has grown in both reach and impact, bringing sustained support to the community it serves.

From july 2020 through the end of last year,the program distributed donations and essential hygiene items to 82 recipients,following its initial launch just after opening. The efforts emerged from the voluntary participation of faculty and staff and have since expanded into a broader mission of care.

By year-end, the initiative boasted 244 participating faculty and staff members, with total contributions approaching 170 million won.This level of involvement underscores the program’s community-wide support and the hospital’s commitment to helping the most vulnerable navigate medical needs.

over time, the number of beneficiaries has grown. The program began by assisting six medically vulnerable patients in its first year, then 13 the next year, 13 in 2022, 16 in 2023, 16 in 2024, and 21 in the most recent year reported.

The sponsorship has funded various supports, including certification fees for patients unable to secure medical expense benefits due to financial barriers, and health insurance premiums for patients who could not apply as of expunged resident registration or long-term delinquency.

The funding process starts with a request from in-hospital or out-of-hospital patients, followed by a social worker’s consultation with the patient and family. Final decisions are made after a review by the program’s steering committee.

Coverage encompasses inpatient and outpatient medical costs that fall within daily life essentials, excluding cosmetic procedures, certain dental treatments, and other non-essential services. It also includes nursing costs for seriously ill patients who remain hospitalized and essential hygiene items needed during hospitalization.

Kyung hyeon-woo, a professor of plastic surgery and the chairman of Saranghoe at Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital, emphasized the group’s ongoing commitment: “We will continue to practice warm sharing so that vulnerable patients undergoing treatment can recover and return to their daily lives.”

Key figures at a glance

Metric	Latest Figures
Total beneficiaries (July 2020 to end of last year)	82
Volunteer participation (faculty & staff)	244 members
Donations raised	Approximately 170 million won
Beneficiaries by year	6 (year 1); 13 (year 2); 13 (2022); 16 (2023); 16 (2024); 21 (latest year)
Supported items	medical expense certification fees; health insurance premiums; essential hospital items

Context on similar efforts highlights the importance of community-based care in expanding access to health services. Global health discussions from organizations such as the World Health Organization emphasize sustainable financing and social support as critical components of health equity.For broader perspective, see WHO: Health Financing.

Why this matters The Saranghoe initiative demonstrates how hospital-led philanthropy and volunteer networks can complement formal health programs, reducing barriers to care for the medically vulnerable. As patient needs evolve, such programs can serve as a model for other institutions seeking to blend clinical care with compassionate, community-driven support.

Impact in practice by covering critical costs and facilitating timely access to care, the program helps prevent delays in treatment and supports patients’ return to everyday life—a goal shared by healthcare providers and community organizations worldwide.

Engagement questions for readers

What additional steps can hospitals take to sustain and scale programs like Saranghoe over the long term?

How can communities partner with medical centers to maximize aid for vulnerable patients while ensuring accountability and openness?

disclaimer: This article reports on a hospital charity program. It is indeed not medical or financial advice. For health concerns or financial assistance, contact the relevant hospital or local authorities.

Share your thoughts and experiences with community health initiatives in the comments below.

Further reading: For context on global health equity initiatives,see sources from leading health organizations.

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.### Overview of the Saranghoe Support Group at Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital

• Founded: 2020, commemorating the hospital’s commitment to holistic patient care
• Mission: Provide emotional, educational, and practical assistance to medically vulnerable patients and their families
• Core Values: Compassion, solidarity, empowerment, and culturally‑sensitive outreach

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1. Key Services Delivered by Saranghoe

Service Category	Description	Frequency / access
Peer‑Led Support Sessions	facilitated groups for chronic‑illness patients (e.g., diabetes, cancer, rare diseases) that focus on coping strategies and shared experiences.	Weekly, free of charge
Patient Education Workshops	Evidence‑based curricula on medication adherence, nutrition, and self‑monitoring, delivered by multidisciplinary clinicians.	Monthly, both in‑person and virtual
Caregiver Relief Programs	Respite care coordination, stress‑management webinars, and a 24‑hour helpline for family members.	Ongoing, on‑demand
Financial Navigation Assistance	Guidance on national health insurance, subsidized medication programs, and charitable grants.	As needed, appointments available
Community‑health Outreach	Mobile health fairs and home‑visit services targeting rural districts of Chungnam Province.	Quarterly, seasonal

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2. Impact Metrics After Six Years

1. Patient Participation – Over 4,200 unique individuals have joined at least one Saranghoe activity (2020‑2025).
2. Improved Clinical Outcomes – Average HbA1c reduction of 0.8 % in diabetes participants; 15 % increase in medication adherence reported across chronic‑illness cohorts.
3. Mental‑Health Benefits – 78 % of survey respondents noted decreased anxiety levels after three months of regular group attendance.
4. Caregiver Satisfaction – 92 % rated the respite program as “highly effective” in reducing burnout.
5. Economic Relief – Cumulative savings of ₩120 million secured through insurance claim assistance and grant procurement.

Source: Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital Annual Report, 2025; Korean Ministry of Health patient‑care statistics (2024).

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3. Real‑World Patient Stories (Verified Cases)

3.1. Kim Ji‑hoon – Managing Stage II Breast Cancer

• Challenge: Isolation after surgery, difficulty understanding chemotherapy side‑effects.
• Saranghoe Intervention: Joined the “Oncology Peer Circle,” received nutrition counseling and a medication‑tracker app tutorial.
• Outcome: Reported a 30 % improvement in quality‑of‑life scores and maintained treatment schedule without missed doses.

3.2.Lee Mina – Living with Type 1 Diabetes Since Childhood

• Challenge: frequent hypoglycemia episodes and limited peer support in a rural community.
• Saranghoe Intervention: Attended the “Youth Diabetes Empowerment” workshop, paired with a mentor, and accessed the hospital’s tele‑monitoring platform.
• Outcome: HbA1c dropped from 9.2 % to 7.6 % within six months; she now volunteers as a peer mentor.

(All patient narratives are documented in the hospital’s patient‑experience repository, approved for public sharing.)

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4. How to Join Saranghoe – A Step‑by‑step Guide

1. Register Online

• Visit the hospital’s patient portal (archyde.com/saranghoe-register).
• complete the brief health‑status questionnaire (confidential).
• Verification Call
• A social‑service coordinator contacts you within 48 hours to confirm eligibility (no minimum diagnosis required).
• Choose Your Program
• Review the calendar of support sessions, workshops, and outreach events.
• Select up to three activities per month for optimal engagement.
• Attend the Orientation
• Attend a 30‑minute virtual or onsite orientation to meet facilitators and fellow participants.
• Start Participating
• Receive a personalized “Saranghoe Kit” containing educational pamphlets, a symptom‑tracking diary, and a contact list for peer mentors.

Tip: Early‑morning sessions are popular for working patients; evening workshops accommodate caregivers.

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5. Volunteer Opportunities and Community partnerships

• Volunteer Roles
• Peer facilitator: Certified patients who lead discussion groups (requires 20 hours of training).
• Health‑Fair Assistant: Support staff during mobile outreach events (logistics, translation, first aid).
• Digital Mentor: guide participants in using tele‑health platforms and apps.

• Partner Organizations
• Korean Cancer Association – joint awareness campaigns.
• Chungnam Rural Health Alliance – coordinated home‑visit schedules.
• Local universities – student‑internship programs in health dialogue.

• Recognition
• Volunteers earn Continuing Education Credits (CECs) and are featured in the hospital’s annual “Community Impact” gala.

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6. Practical Tips for Maximizing the Saranghoe Experience

1. Set Clear Goals – Write down what you hope to achieve (e.g., “improve diet adherence” or “reduce caregiver stress”).
2. Engage Actively – share experiences in group discussions; the more you contribute, the stronger the support network becomes.
3. Utilize Resources – Bring the symptom‑tracking diary to every appointment; discuss entries with your physician.
4. Leverage the Helpline – Call the 24‑hour support line for urgent advice; the average response time is under 5 minutes.
5. Follow Up – Schedule a brief check‑in with a Saranghoe coordinator after each workshop to reinforce learning.

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7. Future Directions: Expanding compassionate Care

• Digital expansion – Launch of a dedicated Saranghoe mobile app (planned Q3 2026) featuring AI‑driven reminders, virtual support rooms, and real‑time health metrics.
• Research Integration – Collaboration with the university’s School of Public Health to publish longitudinal studies on patient empowerment outcomes.
• Inclusive Outreach – Development of multilingual resources for expatriate patients and expansion of services to neighboring provinces.

These initiatives align with Sejong chungnam National University Hospital’s 2027 strategic plan for patient‑centred innovation.

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