Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- On 30 June 2021, a second group of 18 medical specialists headed by Professor Kim Woong Han of Seoul National University Hospital, one of the most prominent doctor of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery in Korea arrived in Uzbekistan from Korea. This visit is organized within the KOICA’s long-term project titled “Establishment of a Training Center for Capacity Building of Medical Personnel of the Uzbekistan National Children’s Hospital” (2018-2023/ US$7.0 million).

The team of medical staff and children’s hospital cardiology surgeons will focus on practical education in the field of pediatric cardiac care, as well as intensive care practice and joint surgery for low-income critically ill children. Korean cardiac surgeons will work with Uzbek specialists to conduct complex surgical operations in severe congenital heart abnormalities, cardiac catheterization of children and other procedures.

On July 1, the National Children’s Medical Center hosted a meeting with the arrived delegation. The participants discussed the plans and distribution of works.

In his greeting speech, Kim Woong Han, Professor of Thoracic Surgery at Seoul National University Hospital, stated the following:

«We have been visiting Uzbekistan for 12 years now and have been performing complex surgeries for children in need with heart disease and other abnormalities. Every time I bring the best surgeons and doctors with me, and this time I brought my colleagues who are the best in Korea.

I myself work at the National Medical Hospital in Korea, and I believe that this National Children’s Medical Center (NCMC) should serve as a model for the development of medicine in Uzbekistan. As a staff of the National Hospital in Korea, I commit to making it the best hospital not only in Korea, but in the whole world.

I believe this center and its doctors are of a great significance not just for Uzbekistan, but also for the whole of Central Asia. I request my Uzbek colleagues to adopt the skills and experience of the arrived Korean experts, I request you to tirelessly ask your questions, that’s what we are here for. I ask my Uzbek colleagues to establish close contacts with our Korean specialists so that you could have a permanent experience exchange and learn more for yourselves.

As I stated, I have been visiting Uzbekistan for the twelfth year, and I can say with confidence that this is the best hospital I have been to in Uzbekistan. In terms of conditions, it even surpasses the hospital in which I’ve been working in Korea for 40 years. I would like to express special words of gratitude to KOICA agency, KOFIH, and the Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) for establishment of such a wonderful hospital with a modern training center.

I hope, through joint efforts, we will make this center the most advanced and the best in all of Central Asia, and for this I request the special support of the director of this center, Professor Sharipov A.M. » - concluded Professor Kim Woong Han.

As an information for reminder, in the case of heart surgery for child patients included in the second training, financial support is provided by several domestic and foreign organizations such as the “Zamin” Foundation, an NGO that supports heart surgery for children in Uzbekistan, and the Lee Jong-wook Global Medical Center in Korea.

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) was established as a government agency in 1991, is dedicated to providing grant aid programs of the Government of the Republic of Korea. KOICA endeavors to combat poverty and support the sustainable socio-economic growth of partner countries.