보건복지부 영문홈페이지

MOHW-WHO-KOSMI cooperates for the development of digital health in the Western Pacific area

복지부-WHO-의료정보학회, 서태평양 지역의 디지털헬스 기반 조성을 위해 협업

PRESS RELEASE

AUG 26, 2022

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) together with the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO WPRO) and the Korean Society of Medical Informatics (KOSMI) had a discussion on “Digital Innovation on Health in Western Pacific Region” on August 26th (Fri.) 2 p.m. at the Lotte Hotel Seoul.

This discussion was held in relation with the 6th Korean Parliamentarian Forum on Global health which was held by the National Assembly and WHO WPRO. It aims to promote international exchange and cooperation between legislators in the Asia-Pacific region with keen interest and insight into global health issues.

WHO WPRO shared their policy, social, and technical information with MOHW and Korean digital health professionals to find ways for digital-based health promotion in the Western Pacific Region in this meeting, and showed interest in digital healthcare in Korea and key policies.

In the discussion, MOHW explained its ‘A Strategy for Digital Health’, formulated in response to the social changes in Korea (such as COVID-19 and rapid population ageing) and to prepare a new engine for economic growth.

 

MOHW is putting policy effort in this area with three main strategies (①Driving healthcare innovation with digital technology ②Strengthening digital healthcare markets ③Building biomedical big data) to make Korea a leading country in global digital healthcare industry.

These policy efforts will serve as the basis for the future of healthcare such as preventive medicine and precision medicine and help to create an ecosystem and infrastructure for digital health innovation, leading ultimately to the promotion of people’s health.

In this meeting, WHO asked for Korea’s active cooperation for health promotion in the Western Pacific Region.

MOHW will play an active role in the Western Pacific Region as a global leader in digital health. Also, enhanced international cooperation effort with domestic and international digital healthcare professionals will be made to find ways to strengthen international cooperation in digital healthcare.

Jeong Yeonhi, Director of Division of Healthcare Information Policy of MOHW said “As a global leader, Korea can do much more in relation to digital healthcare in Western Pacific Region.” She added, “Based on Korea’s digital healthcare technology and infrastructure, MOHW will proactively look for various ways to contribute to health promotion in the Western Pacific Region through cooperation with international organizations such as WHO.”

// For inquiries contact Media Relations, Ministry of Health and Welfare

044-202-2047 or fairytale@korea.kr