KOICA-Yonsei University College of Medicine Sign Agreement to Support Infectious Disease Response in Developing Countries

Establishing Partnerships to Share K-Quarantine with Developing Countries

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] KOICA has announced on the 8th that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Yonsei University College of Medicine to join forces in strengthening the infectious disease response capabilities of developing countries with poor health and medical infrastructure.

The two institutions plan to enhance the self-reliance of developing countries by sharing Korea's COVID-19 response experience, known as 'K-Quarantine,' in a customized manner through the 'COVID-19 Information Hub' (covid19.koica.go.kr).

Although various COVID-19 related information is currently being released domestically and internationally, KOICA recognized the need for consistent and systematic information provision from a development cooperation perspective tailored to the needs of developing countries on the ground. Accordingly, KOICA established and has been operating the COVID-19 Information Hub since May to share Korea's treatment and quarantine experiences in response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at a level understandable to developing countries.

Through this agreement, KOICA plans to have medical staff from Yonsei Medical Center participate as advisory panel members for the COVID-19 Information Hub, thereby sharing Korea's COVID-19 response experience and research information with developing countries in a more professional manner.

Specifically, Yonsei Medical Center medical staff will participate as advisors in the production of 'Online Consulting Videos (FAQ videos)' that compile frequently asked questions and answers to help medical personnel in developing countries easily resolve their COVID-19 related inquiries.

KOICA plans to produce a series of 20 FAQ videos focusing on Korea's COVID-19 response strategies that are in high demand in developing countries, including the '3T' (Test, Tracing, Treatment), alternative testing methods when Korea's large-scale testing and treatment methods cannot be applied in developing countries, and international development cooperation preparing for the post-COVID era.

According to this agreement, Yonsei University College of Medicine will participate in the entire production process of the FAQ videos, from conceptualizing the online consulting storyboard, participating in interviews and content consultation, to reviewing subtitles and medical terminology.

Additionally, Yonsei Medical Center medical staff will contribute articles based on their frontline COVID-19 response experiences to the Information Hub, and both institutions have agreed to mutually cooperate on tasks necessary to strengthen the health and medical capabilities of developing countries.

Park Jae-shin, Director of KOICA's Business Strategy and Asia Headquarters, stated, "Through this agreement, Yonsei University College of Medicine will share its high-level clinical experience and specialized research capabilities with developing countries in an untact (non-face-to-face) manner. KOICA will take the lead in realizing global social values where no country in the world is left behind by enhancing the self-reliance of developing countries to overcome infectious diseases like COVID-19."

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