Clinic is the lowest medical service unit in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Han Jong Ryol, Head of Ryonghung Polyclinic No. 3 in Taesong District of the capital city of Pyongyang, said a clinic, which gives medical treatment to the inhabitants around it, plays an important role in steadily bringing the preventive and curative work close to the reality, and continued:

"Clinics have many things to do.

Household doctors should do screening and examination, hygienic propaganda and treatment for the residents under their charge.

It is also important to diagnose illnesses of patients correctly and take first-aid measures before sending them to hospitals of upper level.

Without experience, however, is it impossible to do the work. All the doctors should improve their qualifications to prepare themselves to do the work skilfully.

The household doctors should make efforts to improve their technical and practical skills so as to give good treatment to the patients.

So, we do technical study more than twice a week and try to put it into practice."

Through the technical study, the household doctors learn advanced treatment methods and foster the ability of applying acupuncture, moxibustion and cupping freely. They are improving their qualifications while teaching and learning from each other the experience and knowledge they have gained in the course of treating residents.

They take care of the residents under their charge with kindred feelings, bearing in mind that they are fully responsible for their health.

They have a constant grasp of the health of the residents under their charge and prevent them from getting ill in time. They also explain the contents of hygienic propaganda in a clear way so that they can give a practical help to the health care for the residents.

They also find themselves among residents as they have to treat chronic cases and take measures for occasional emergency cases in contact with upper units. Sometimes they stayed up all night at patients' houses for their treatment and provided them with nourishing foods when they were getting better.

Head Han Jong Ryol introduced Jang Kum Suk who is called "their doctor" by residents in charge.

Jang Kum Suk was a doctor good at acupuncture and moxibustion. It is only three years after she became a household doctor, but she cured patients with digestive diseases almost completely with acupuncture.

She said:

"I did a lot of technical study, studied patients a lot and acquired experience to enrich my medical practice and improve my qualifications.

But it was not easy to be called 'their doctor' by the residents.

I think it's impossible, however rich one's medical practice may be and no matter how high one's qualifications may be, unless one works heart and soul to treat the patients with sincerity.

We should always regard the patients as our own flesh and blood and devote ourselves to them.

It is my duty to devote my all to the residents in charge with my utmost sincerity and warm love, I think."

With such mind, medical workers of Ryonghung Polyclinic No. 3 in Taesong District go among the residents closer and more often.