KOICA Supports Bolivia's 'Post-Corona' National Plan

Bolivia's COVID-19 Incidence Exceeds 11,000 Cases per Million Population
Proactive Community Surveillance Measures Prevent Resurgence and Strengthen Primary Healthcare System

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] KOICA announced on the 2nd that it attended the launch ceremony of the national plan for post-COVID-19 response at the Ministry of Health building in La Paz, Bolivia, on the 30th of last month (local time).

The Bolivian government officially announced the implementation by releasing a printed copy of the "Second Half of 2020 Quarantine and Mitigation Plan for Post-COVID-19 Response," which the health authorities have been preparing since May this year in collaboration with KOICA and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

This cooperation was carried out as part of the Korean government's 'Development Cooperation Initiative for a Safe World Together (ODA KOREA: Building TRUST)' and according to KOICA's ABC program.

Since the first confirmed case was reported in March, Bolivia's COVID-19 incidence rate currently stands at 11,185 cases per one million population, far exceeding South Korea's 435 and the global average of 3,808 cases. Bolivia's health system is in a poor state in responding to COVID-19, with a high mortality rate of 5.8% due to infection (South Korea 1.6%, global 3.1%).

Accordingly, KOICA has adjusted some support directions of existing health projects to cooperate in Bolivia's COVID-19 response. KOICA supports △the establishment of national and local government plans related to COVID-19, △strengthening the capacity of medical personnel responding to COVID-19, △control and mitigation of COVID-19 using health networks, and △medical supplies for emergency response.

The main activity of supporting national plan establishment was linked to the 'transition from quarantine to post-quarantine phase' through Supreme Decree 4314 enacted by the Bolivian government on August 27 for COVID-19 response, with 'active community surveillance' as the key strategy.

In particular, it strengthens the capacity of community health services to ensure that the national medical system can guarantee primary healthcare. Through this, not only early detection of COVID-19 cases but also basic management of non-communicable diseases and provision of visiting medical welfare services become possible.

Kim Chang-seop, head of KOICA Bolivia office, said, "Watching the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on countries worldwide, we confirmed the reiterated need for national policy responses to effectively cope with public health emergencies. We place great significance on and feel rewarded by Korea's contribution to establishing Bolivia's national plan for post-COVID-19 response. Through the implementation of the national plan, we hope the Bolivian government can timely treat COVID-19 patients and vulnerable groups, and strengthen the healthcare delivery system and primary healthcare."

The Bolivian Ministry of Health stated, "Through cooperation with KOICA and PAHO, we expect the possibility of preventing, diagnosing, and timely treating infectious diseases by establishing an integrated health network service nationwide," and added, "Beyond COVID-19, we also anticipate improvements in the structure of the health system within the government that the country faces."