KOICA-Yonsei University Medical Center Shares 'COVID-19 Response Know-How' with Medical Staff from Over 100 Countries

Non-Face-to-Face Training Through Collaboration with Yonsei University Medical Center
Comprehensive Coverage of Specimen Collection and Transport, Diagnostic Testing, and Patient Treatment

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) is producing and distributing educational videos to strengthen the capabilities of medical personnel in developing countries in line with the untact era caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

KOICA announced on the 22nd that it is conducting a global online training program with Yonsei University Medical Center's International Development Center to effectively respond to COVID-19 in developing countries and enhance the capabilities of medical staff.

Since 1991, KOICA has invited policymakers, teachers, and public sector workers from developing countries to Korea through its global training program to share Korea's development experience and technology. However, due to global travel restrictions (lockdowns) caused by the spread of COVID-19, in-person training has become virtually impossible, leading to the production and distribution of educational videos as a non-face-to-face training method.

The educational video produced by KOICA and Yonsei University Medical Center focuses on diagnostic testing methods for COVID-19 response. The target audience is medical personnel from over 100 countries supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KOICA with diagnostic kits, masks, and other quarantine supplies to strengthen global infectious disease response capabilities. The training content includes △ wearing personal protective equipment △ emergency room management △ specimen collection and transport △ COVID-19 diagnostic testing △ clinical features and treatment of COVID-19.

The educational videos are available in English, French, Spanish, and Arabic. KOICA plans to upload them on the COVID-19 Information Hub (www.koica.go.kr/sites/covid19) and the YouTube channel KOICA-YONSEI: COVID19 Program (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKC0cTuRte9HH5DA3S9W0jg) so that medical personnel in developing countries can watch the videos anytime and anywhere. A total of eight modules will be uploaded sequentially by June 30. Additionally, KOICA will deliver the educational videos to health ministries of various countries through cooperation with its local offices.

If there are any inquiries related to COVID-19 during the online training, questions can be posted via the designated SNS channel (Facebook), and experts from Yonsei University Medical Center will respond. Yonsei University Medical Center also plans to provide consulting services in the field of infectious diseases in the future.

Baek Sook-hee, Director of KOICA's Africa, Middle East & Latin America Headquarters, said, “International cooperation is necessary for a rapid and effective response to COVID-19,” adding, “We will share Korea’s quarantine experience with developing countries struggling with COVID-19 through non-face-to-face training to overcome the crisis together.”

Meanwhile, KOICA’s Training Program Office is transitioning its global training programs, which were conducted through invited and local training, to non-face-to-face training in preparation for the post-COVID-19 era. KOICA plans to actively utilize untact educational methods to prepare for infectious disease outbreaks and continuously strengthen global solidarity through sharing Korea’s knowledge and experience.

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