Yonsei Institute
for Global Health

통일보건의료센터, 2025년 발전전략워크숍 실시 제중원보건개발원 통일보건의료센터가 1일 강화군에서 2025 발전전략 워크숍을 개최했다. 워크숍은 운영위원 및 연구진을 대상으로 센터의 활동 방향을 점검하고, 향후 수행할 보건의료 정책 과제를 논의하기 위해 열렸다. 참석자들은 강화군 교동도 화개산 전망대를 방문해 북한 접경지역의 보건의료 협력 가능성을 모색했다. 이어진 워크숍에서는 2024년도 센터 활동 내역과 2025년도 활동 계획을 공유하고, 각 기획단별 정책 연구 발표와 함께 실질적인 연구 성과 도출 및 협력 방안을 논의했다. 특히, 신설된 재난의료TF를 중심으로, 북한발 재난 대응 보건의료 지원 체계를 구축할 방안에 관해 심도 있는 논의가 이뤄졌다. 자연재해, 감염병, 대규모 인도적 위기 상황에서 효과적인 의료 지원 방안을 마련하기 위한 연구 방향이 제시됐으며, 향후 구체적인 정책 제안을 추진할 예정이다. 이번 워크숍을 통해 통일보건의료센터는 한반도 보건의료 분야에서의 지속적인 연구와 협력 방안을 마련하고, 재난 대응을 포함한 의료 지원 체계를 더욱 발전시킬 예정이다. The Center for Health & Unification of Korea, part of the Yonsei Institute for Global Health, hosted its 2025 Development Strategy Workshop in Ganghwa County, bringing together key researchers and steering committee members to review past initiatives and shape future healthcare policies. As part of the workshop, participants visited the Hwagaesan Observatory on Gyodong Island, near the North Korean border, to explore potential avenues for inter-Korean health and medical cooperation. The session continued with a review of the center’s 2024 activities and the presentation of its 2025 plans. Each planning team shared its policy research, sparking discussions on achieving measurable research outcomes and strengthening collaboration. A key focus was the newly established Disaster Medical Task Force, which held in-depth discussions on developing a healthcare support system for disaster response in North Korea. Experts proposed strategies for delivering medical aid in cases of natural disasters, infectious disease outbreaks, and large-scale humanitarian crises, with concrete policy recommendations set to follow. With this workshop, the Center for Health & Unification of Korea aims to expand research and cooperation in healthcare on the Korean Peninsula, reinforcing medical support systems and disaster response capabilities.

1) Please introduce yourself. Hello, I am Crystal Karen Go Retuya, 38 years old from the Philipppines. I came here with my husband and sons, who are also studying here. 2) Where is your working place back in your country and what is your specialty? I am a board certified Dermatologist in the Philippines. I am affiliated with St. Luke's Medical Center, Quezon City, Metro Manila Philippines and the Skin and Cancer Foundation, Inc. 3) How did you get to know Severance? Why did you choose Severance as your training hospital? I came to Severance to have a subspecialty in Dermatologic Surgery and Mohs Micrographic Surgery. It has always been my passion to perform Dermatologic Surgery, and Severance Hospital has one of the best training programs for this specialty. In the Philippines, there are only a few Dermatologic Surgeons, I will be able to serve more people after my training here. Yonsei Severance is known for having the brightest Professors and Physicians, the most advanced technology in healthcare, and has paved the way for the globalization of medicine. 4) How long is your training period in Korea? My training period is from March 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025. 5) Which area did you focus on during your fellowship at Severance? I trained intensively to be a Dermatologic Surgeon under Professor Kee Yang Chung for the first 6 months and Professor Byung Ho Oh for the latter part of my stay in Severance. 6) What is the most impressive feature of Severance Hospital? I have been in Severance for 10 months now, and I am still impressed with the quality of healthcare that is being delivered to each patient. I am amazed at the team effort that goes into each case and how each member is always prepared to carry out their task in the fastest and most efficient way possible. 7) What are the specific contents of your fellowship program at Severance? I am training to be a Dermatologic Surgeon and Mohs Micrographic (Skin Cancer) Surgeon 8) If you were to get the chance to come back, which field of clinical study would you like to focus on? Yes, I would still choose to study Dermatologic Surgery because it is a specialty that requires hands on training under the guidance of seasoned surgeons. Every new patient is a chance to learn new skills, techniques, and knowledge. Every day is a learning opportunity, and I always feel grateful that I was able to undergo hands on training with a medical license from the government of South Korea in such a prestigious Hospital. 9) Who are you most thankful for at Severance(who helped you the most) & why? I am most grateful to my Professors, Professor Kee Yang Chung and Professor Byung Ho Oh who have been very patient and meticulous about my training. They made sure that I would learn enough skills and knowledge to be able to perform well when I go back to my home country. They have not only taught me about surgical skills and research, they have also helped me and my family adjust to the life here in Seoul. I am also grateful to our Wound Care Nurse Ms Kyoung Ae Nam and Professor Jin Woong Jung who have also contributed so much to my training at the Dermatologic Surgery Department. 10) What was your first impression of Korea? My first impression of Korea is that everything was fast paced and done perfectly. It is one of the attitudes that I have come to adapt, and I believe it has increased my productivity and efficiency. I am very impressed with the exceptional results that come out off teamwork and being goal oriented, these are the values that I will bring with me when I return home. 11)What is the best memory so far during your stay here? The best experience during my stay is completing surgeries using the skills and knowledge that my Professors have passed on to me. When I first came here, I knew I had so much to learn, and I wanted to make sure that I would make the most out of my training period. My stay here in Seoul has also allowed me to learn many things about Korean culture, and one of the things I will bring home with me is the exceptional work ethic that they have. I have no regrets doing the Severance International Fellowship, I believe it is one of the best decisions I made in my life career-wise, and I would gladly do it again without any second thoughts. I have made new friends that I will surely keep even when I return home to the Philippines, and I am now equipped with knowledge that I could never have acquired if I didn't move out of my comfort zone.

1) Please introduce yourself. My name is Ugbede Idakwo. I work as a consultant Ophthalmologist with ECWA Eye Hospital located in Kano which is a predominantly Muslim state in the northern part of Nigeria. My role is to treat patients with eye diseases and to train younger ophthalmologists. I am married to my wife Blessing and together we have 3 children Ojochegbe, Enyojo and Eleojo in a Christian family. 2) How did you meet Severance Hospital and what kind of relationship have you had so far? My connection with severance started about 4 years ago when my friend a Korean missionary doctor working in Nigeria called Adam Jaehyeok Lee linked me up with the Medical Mission Center of Yonsei University Health System. Following the connection, I have been to Severance hospital 3 times and 2 of those times was for training in vitreo-retinal surgeries. The relationship has led the establishment of a retinal unit in my hospital to treat retinal diseases and training of younger doctors in the management of retinal diseases. It is this relationship that led to my Avison Global Leadership award in 2024. 3) What do you mainly do in your home country and what rewards do you feel there? In Nigeria, I work as an Ophthalmologist looking after people with eye diseases. The most rewarding part of my job is the smile and appreciation I receive after opening the eye of a blind patient that I operated a day before. A lot of people are blind in the 2 eyes without money to access healthcare especially in the villages. These are the ones that gives me greater joy when their sight is restored. This helps them to be economically independent and able to look after their families. 4) What do the local hospitals and patients need most? At the moment, our hospital is in need of a vitrectomy machine. Though the machine is expensive, it is essential in the treatment of complications following cataract surgery and in patients with retinal complications of diabetes mellitus and other posterior segment diseases of the eye. This is for this area I was trained in Severance hospital. 5) If there is a task you need to do in the future, what is it? a. Skilled personnel: our doctors and other health workers need training and retraining to meet up with advancing technology and skills to keep our patients satisfied. My plan is to liaise with medical mission center YUHS to help us in this area. b. Healthcare workers attrition: because of the economic hardship in our country, most healthcare workers are leaving the countries in search of better remuneration in other developed nations. We cannot do much to solve this problem but we can speak to their hearts and let God do the rest. 6) Congratulations on receiving the award, and please tell us your thoughts. Thanks to Severance One Family and Yonsei University for finding me fit for this prestigious award. My joy knows no bounds as this forms a significant part of my life’s achievements. This award has also exposed me to greater opportunities in life that can help my patients and the society that I live in. Thank you!

의료원, 베트남 우즈벡 미래 의료인 키운다 국제의학교육개발사업단, 역량강화 사업 장기 프로젝트 순항 제중원보건개발원 산하 국제의학교육개발사업단이 베트남과 우즈베키스탄의 미래 의료인 양성을 위해 팔을 걷었다. 국제의학교육개발사업단(gMED)은 한국국제협력단(KOICA)이 발주한 신남방‧신북방 고등교육 혁신사업의 사업책임자로 현재 베트남 호치민의약학대학 교육연구 역량강화 사업 MEF와 우즈베키스탄 타슈켄트 소아의과대학교 교육연구 역량강화 사업 MNEF를 수행하고 있다. 국제의학교육개발사업단은 베트남에서는 2021년, 우즈베키스탄에서는 2022년 각각 111억원과 56억원의 지원비로 사업을 시작해 현재는 프로젝트 중간 단계에 이르렀다. 두 프로젝트는 최대 5년간 현지 학교의 의과대학생뿐만 아니라 전공의, 세부전문의도 교육대상으로 삼는다. 베트남 MEF 사업은 의학교육, 임상수련, 연구역량, 산학협력 총 4가지 분과로 나눠 진행 중이다. 의학교육 미디어 스튜디오를 준공해 온라인 교육자료를 개발하며 자기주도적 교육 환경 개선에 힘썼다. 또 졸업시험 문항 900개와 교육과정을 마친 40명의 교수 양성을 목표로 졸업시험 문항과 교육자료 개발에도 힘을 모았다. 베트남 전공의와 세부 전문의 트레이닝을 위한 ‘Twinning program’도 실시했다. 대상 전공은 내과학, 외과학, 산부인과학, 소아과학, 감염내과학 등 11개 과다. 교수 등 연구원 초청연수를 실시하고 의과대학 학술지 멘토링도 이어져 연구와 논문작성에 대한 이해도를 높였다. 디지털의료, AI 등 의학과 산업이 시너지를 낼 수 있는 공동연구 참여도 독려했다. 우즈베키스탄 간호교육 우즈베키스탄 MNEF 사업은 의학교육, 간호교육, 연구역량, 산학협력분과로 구성됐다. 간호교육 공동연구 온라인 워크숍을 통해 문제중심학습, 팀기반학습 등 교수학습법과 실습지도자 매뉴얼 개발에 대한 지식 교류와 네트워킹을 강화했다. 산학협력워크숍을 통해서는 산학협력 가능성이 있는 연구팀을 선발해 각 팀의 발표를 듣고 심사 평가를 거쳐 연구 결과에 대한 사업화 과정을 도왔다. 안신기 국제의학교육개발사업단장은 “의료원이 가진 의학, 간호학 교육 및 연구역량과 사업화 경험을 통해 베트남과 우즈베키스탄 미래 의료진 양성을 도와 세계 보건 수준 향상에 지속적으로 기여할 것”이라고 말했다. Global Medical Education Development Working Group, Long-term Projects Progressing The Global Medical Education Development Working Group(gMed), under the Yonsei Institute for Global Health, has embarked on a mission to cultivate future medical professionals in Vietnam and Uzbekistan. Acting as the project lead for the New Southern and New Northern Policy higher education innovation initiatives commissioned by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), gMed is currently advancing Medical Educatiuon for the Future Project (MEF) in Vietnam and Medical & Nursing Education for the Future Project (MNEF) in Uzbekistan. Launched in 2021 with a budget of 9.68 million USD in Vietnam and in 2022 with 5 million USD in Uzbekistan, these initiatives have reached their mid-point. The projects aim to train not only medical students but also residents and subspecialists over a span of up to five years. The MEF project in Vietnam is divided into four key areas: medical education, clinical training, research capacity, and industry-academia collaboration. The project has seen the establishment of a medical education media studio to develop online educational materials, fostering a self-directed learning environment. Efforts have also focused on developing 900 graduation exam questions and training 40 professors in curriculum development. The program has introduced a "Twinning Program" for residents and subspecialists in 11 fields, including internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and infectious diseases. Additionally, researchers and faculty were invited for training, and mentoring for medical journal publication was provided to enhance understanding of research and academic writing. Collaborative research in digital medicine, AI, and other interdisciplinary areas has been actively encouraged. The MNEF project in Uzbekistan comprises medical education, nursing education, research capacity, and industry-academia collaboration. Online workshops have been held on nursing education, covering topics such as problem-based learning and team-based learning, along with developing manuals for clinical practice guidance. Industry-academia collaboration workshops identified promising research teams and supported the commercialization of their findings through evaluation and guidance. Prof. Shin-Ki An, head of the Global medical Education Development Working Group, stated, "By leveraging our medical and nursing education expertise, research capabilities, and commercialization experience, we aim to contribute to improving global healthcare standards by supporting the development of future medical professionals in Vietnam and Uzbekistan."

제4회 에비슨 글로벌 리더십 어워드(AvisonGlobal Leadership Award) 수상 사진 나이지리아에는 약 700명의 안과의사가 있다. 얼핏 적지 않아 보이지만, 약 2억명에 달하는 인구를 고려하면 이 숫자는 턱없이 부족하다. 참고로 한국은 5000만 인구에 약 3000명의 안과의사가 있다. 이다코는 나이지리아 북부 카노(Kano) 지역에 위치한 ECWA 선교병원에서 근무하고 있다. 카노는 인구 약 1400만명의 지역으로, 주민 대부분이 무슬림이며 극심한 가난, 높은 범죄율, 그리고 많은 안과 질환 환자들이 있는 지역이다. 최근에는 테러로 인한 사상자도 많이 발생했고, 함께 근무하던 동료 안과의사도 더 안전한 지역으로 이직했다. 이다코는 병원진료 뿐만 아니라 이동진료를 통해 무료 개안 수술도 진행하고 있다. 이동 진료는 고가의 의료장비를 싣고 다녀야 하기 때문에 테러와 강도에 노출될 위험이 크다. 2003년에 의과대학을 졸업한 이다코는 2016년에 안과 전문의 자격을 취득했다. 나이지리아에서 안과 전문의는 매우 귀한 존재로, 좋은 시설과 높은 보수를 제공하는 사립병원에 쉽게 취직할 수 있다. 실제로 그의 지도교수도 이다코가 수도에 있는 병원에서 일하기를 권유했지만, 그는 이를 단호히 거절하고 열악한 환경의 ECWA 선교병원에 남았다. 그 이유를 그는 이렇게 설명한다. “하나님은 저를 사용하셔서 보지못하는 사람들의 눈을 뜨게 하는 부르심을 주셨습니다. 이는 무슬림들 가운데서 그리스도의 사랑을 전하는 기쁨 그 자체입니다.” 이다코에게 열악한 환경에서 가장필요한 덕목이 무엇인지 물었다. 그는 “포기하지 않는 인내”라고 답한다.“2022년과 2023년에 세브란스 안과병원에서 두 차례 연수교육을 받았습니다. 그때 들은 에비슨 박사님의 이야기는 저에게 큰 감동을 주었습니다. 특히,그분이 갈라디아서 6장 9절 말씀을 가장 좋아했다는 사실을 알고 매우 놀랐습니다. 에비슨 박사님이 열악한 환경속에서도 포기하지 않고 40년 이상 사역을 지속할 수 있었던 것은 이 말씀이 가르쳐주는 인내심 덕분이었을 것입니다.” 이다코는 열악한 환경 속에서도 묵묵히 소명을 실천하며, 에비슨의 정신을 행동으로 보여주고 있다. 그의 사역은 단순한 의료 활동을 넘어, 환자들에게 희망과 사랑을 전하는 귀감이 되고있다. 이러한 그의 헌신은 많은 사람들에게 깊은 감동을 주고 있고, 그는 2024년 제4회 에비슨 글로벌 리더십 어워드의 주인공으로 선정됐다. “우리가 선을 행하되 낙심하지 말지니, 피곤하지 아니하면 때가 이르매 거두리라.” (갈라디아서 6:9) Patience Learned at Severance On November 20, Dr. Ugbede Idakwo, an ophthalmologist from Nigeria, was honored with the 2024 Avison Global Leadership Award at the conclusion of the 2024 Medical Mission Month. The award, which recognizes individuals who have connected with Severance through its mission programs and have demonstrated selfless dedication to healthcare in underserved communities, was presented to Dr. Idakwo for his exceptional contributions to medical missions in Nigeria. Dr. Idakwo works at the ECWA Mission Hospital in Kano, located in northern Nigeria. Kano, home to over 14 million people, faces significant challenges, including poverty, high crime rates, and a high prevalence of eye diseases. In addition to his work at the hospital, Dr. Idakwo runs mobile cataract surgery clinics, often transporting expensive medical equipment through areas threatened by terrorism and armed robbery. Despite these challenges, he has remained committed to serving his community, treating hundreds of cataract patients and providing free surgeries in some of the most impoverished regions of Nigeria. The situation in Nigeria, with roughly 700 ophthalmologists for a population of nearly 200 million, underscores the severity of the issue. For comparison, South Korea, with a population of 50 million, has approximately 3,000 ophthalmologists. The scarcity of specialists has driven Dr. Idakwo to work under difficult conditions, but his unwavering dedication stems from his faith. In a recent interview, he explained, “God has called me to help open the eyes of those who cannot see. It is my joy to share Christ’s love among Muslims.” He shared that his resolve to remain in the challenging environment of the ECWA Mission Hospital, rather than pursue a more lucrative position in a private hospital, is rooted in his sense of divine calling. When asked about the virtues necessary to sustain his work, Dr. Idakwo highlighted "unyielding perseverance". He reflected on his time at Severance Ophthalmology Hospital, where he participated in training sessions in 2022 and 2023. There, he learned about Dr. Avison, a figure whose dedication inspired him deeply. “Dr. Avison’s ability to sustain his ministry for over 40 years in difficult circumstances was undoubtedly due to the perseverance taught in Galatians 6:9,” he said, referring to Dr. Avison’s favorite Bible verse. Dr. Idakwo continues to serve with the same quiet dedication that defines his ministry. His ability to treat patients, offer hope, and embody the spirit of perseverance has made him a fitting recipient of the 2024 Avison Global Leadership Award. As the award citation notes, Dr. Idakwo’s life exemplifies the message from Galatians 6:9: “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”