[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) held a video conference with the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on the 26th to discuss responses to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
This meeting was the first held targeting international organizations in the African region to share experiences in COVID-19 prevention and control.
The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and KDCA, including Lee Seon-gyu, Director of the Crisis Analysis and International Cooperation Division at KDCA, and officials from Africa CDC, including Deputy Director Dr. Ahmed OUMA.
The meeting was conducted in a Q&A format on topics related to COVID-19, including △diagnosis and contact tracing management, △clinical experience, and △government-level quarantine measures, allowing for open discussion.
Africa CDC explained that while confirmed COVID-19 cases are increasing in Africa, the rate of increase is slowing. They are considering ways to ease lockdowns and movement restrictions currently imposed by African countries while preventing further spread of COVID-19. They also requested sharing of Korea’s quarantine policies, including reasons for Korea’s success in COVID-19 prevention without enforcing mandatory lockdowns.
In response, the Korean side introduced key factors contributing to COVID-19 prevention success under the principles of openness, transparency, and democracy, including △proactive preparation for spread before the pandemic declaration, △contact tracing methods utilizing advanced IT technology, △voluntary participation of citizens in social distancing campaigns, and △strong public trust in Korea’s quarantine policies and diagnostic capabilities.
Africa CDC is a core institution under the African Union (AU) responsible for COVID-19 response, performing roles such as △securing and distributing quarantine supplies to African countries, △providing quarantine advice to African nations, and △managing confirmed case statistics.
The Korean government has been working closely with the African Union to build a future-oriented relationship with the African continent and, considering the recent COVID-19 situation in Africa, has been providing tangible and intangible support and cooperation. Priority support has been given to African countries severely affected by COVID-19, such as Nigeria, South Africa, and Djibouti, and support to African countries will be gradually expanded in the future.
An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "This video conference confirmed Africa’s high interest and expectations for our K-quarantine and, based on sharing experiences of K-quarantine, will contribute not only to strengthening Africa’s COVID-19 response capabilities but also to enhancing external trust in our healthcare system."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
