The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 2nd that it has selected 98 cities, counties, and districts through the third round of the integrated support pilot project for medical care, nursing, and caregiving. Accordingly, a total of 229 municipalities across the country will participate in the pilot project, adding to the 131 cities, counties, and districts selected in the first and second rounds.
The integrated support system provides caregiving services such as healthcare, health management, and long-term care to the elderly and disabled who have difficulties maintaining their daily lives at their residence. The main project is scheduled to be implemented starting March 27, 2026, in accordance with the law on integrated support for local caregiving in medical care and nursing, which was enacted last March. To this end, the government has budgeted 77.7 billion won for related projects in the 2026 budget proposal.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that it selected the final 98 cities, counties, and districts after a comprehensive evaluation of participation willingness and capability, project plan feasibility, and regional characteristics. The newly included areas are 9 places including Jongno District, Jung District, Mapo District, and Gangnam District in Seoul; 5 places including Yeongdo District and Busanjin District in Busan; 5 places including Jung District and Suseong District in Daegu; 8 places in Incheon; 11 places in Gyeonggi; 10 places in Gangwon Province; 9 places in South Chungcheong Province; 7 places in Jeonbuk State; 5 places in South Jeolla Province; 16 places in North Gyeongsang Province; 12 places in South Gyeongsang Province; and 1 place in Seogwipo City, Jeju.
To ensure a solid operation of the pilot project next year, the ministry plans to support consulting, training on the integrated support process and systems, starting with an explanatory meeting this month. The municipalities will prepare for project execution and service linkage through the establishment of dedicated organizations and the establishment of public-private collaboration systems.
Im Eul-gi, the head of the elderly policy division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "We will make every effort to ensure that the community-centered integrated caregiving system can be successfully implemented through continuous cooperation with local governments."