Twenty members of the “Gyeonggi-do Medical Service Team” organized in collaboration by Global Care and the provincial government left for Lhoseumawe, Sumatra in Indonesia on January 5, 2005. They used the Asiana Air planes chartered by the government to provide emergency medical support and anti-epidemic measures. 

The Medical Service Team consists 48 people including 9 doctors, 6 pharmacists, 18 nurses, 12 health officials, and 3 volunteer workers. They will offer their service for six weeks between January 5 and February 6. 

Gyeonggi-do strived to heighten the effectiveness of its service by cooperating with private organizations experienced in medical support for such occasions. Private organizations taking part in this medical service team project are Global Care, Gyeonggi-do Doctors Association, Pharmacists Association, Pharmaceutical Company Society, Medicine Whole Sales Society, and the Epidemics Association.

Among them, Global Care plays the central role with the province. It has offered its service to Iraqi refugees in 2003 and victims of the Yongcheon explosion in North Korea last year. 

Medical and anti-epidemic supplies are prepared through the province-run Pharm Bank that bridges the donators with those in need. The province will make extra purchases for shortages. Medicines of 108 kinds (21,967 cases) worth \240 million have been gathered so far through Pharm Bank, and the donations are continuing to make shed a bright future for the supply. 

Pharm Bank business was launched on November 25, 2004 for a test run, and the distribution was made for the first time on December 15. This is the first time that it will contribute to the projects in abroad; Indonesia will become the first beneficiary of Pharm Bank business.

The first team will make demand on necessary medical and life supplies, and the second team will respond to those requests through their visit. Support goods will include food, blankets, and beverages. 

The provincial governor Sohn Hak-kyu had breakfast with CEOs of pharmaceutical companies at a restaurant in Seongnam on January 4 to express his gratitude for the latter’s effort in gathering necessary goods. He also asked for the continued support for the success of the Pharm Bank business. Sohn greeted the medical team off at the Incheon International Airport on January 5.