The Ministry of Health and Welfare signed back-to-back memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on health care cooperation with Ukraine, Indonesia and the Philippines at the World Health Assembly to strengthen collaboration in medical artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health.
According to the ministry on the 26th, Minister Jung Eun-kyeong, on the occasion of the 79th World Health Assembly, signed MOUs on health care cooperation with Ukraine, Indonesia and the Philippines in Geneva, Switzerland, on the 19th–20th (local time), and discussed ways to strengthen responses to infectious diseases and global health cooperation with international health organizations.
First, with Ukraine, an MOU was signed focusing on primary care, rehabilitation medicine, and the education and exchange of health care personnel. The two countries agreed to expand cooperation between medical institutions and health professionals in areas such as disaster trauma management, mental and physical rehabilitation, and cancer treatment for serious illnesses.
With Indonesia, the existing health cooperation MOU was revised. The amendment reflects the two countries' AI-based primary care and human resources development cooperation signed in April. The two countries agreed to promote stronger training for medical personnel, expand the entry of medical institutions into Indonesia, and undertake AI-based health technology cooperation projects.
With the Philippines, an MOU was signed centered on cooperation in digital health and infectious disease response, including health workforce development and management, AI-based health, and data governance. The ministry said it expects the agreement to formalize health care cooperation between the two countries and serve as an opportunity to expand the scope of collaboration.
The Minister also met with officials from international health organizations to discuss global health cooperation. With Gavi, the international alliance that supports vaccine supply for children in low-income countries, the parties discussed expanding Korea's contributions to global health security and ways to exchange policies, technologies and personnel in the bio and pharmaceutical sectors, and with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), they discussed expanding cooperation with the Global Training Hub for Bio Manufacturing (GTH-B) to strengthen vaccine manufacturing capacity in low- and middle-income countries.
The Minister said, "On the occasion of the World Health Assembly, we will strengthen multilateral health cooperation and continue to expand intergovernmental collaboration in areas such as medical AI, Digital Healthcare and training for medical professionals."