Uzbek Traditional Medicine Takes Flight... National Institute for Korean Medicine Development Expands Cooperation with Uzbekistan Ministry of Health

Lectures on Korean Medicine Policy and Systems
Introduction to Medical System

The National Institute for Korean Medicine Development conducted the "2024 Korean Medicine Policy Training Program" over five days, from December 9 to 13, 2024.

The National Institute for Korean Medicine Development conducted a training program on Korean medicine for high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan. Photo by National Institute for Korean Medicine Development

This policy training, part of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Korean Medicine Global Expansion Support Project," has been held annually to promote the systematic and excellent nature of the Korean medicine healthcare system and to serve as a bridgehead for expanding overseas.

This year, the program was organized for five participants, including four director-level officials such as the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Health of Uzbekistan and the Director of the Center for Traditional Medicine Science and Clinical Research. The program included lectures on Korean medicine policy and systems, visits to Korean medicine medical institutions, universities, and related organizations, as well as cultural experiences at the Seoul K-Medicine Promotion Center.

In particular, at the request of the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, the itinerary included a tour of the clinical system at Korean medicine medical institutions and a visit to the Korean Herbal Medicine Preparation Center (GMP Center) of the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development.

Uzbekistan established departments of traditional medicine at 10 universities under a presidential decree in 2020, and this year saw the graduation of the first cohort of traditional medicine students.

Farkhod Rakhimkulov, Chief of Staff to the Minister of Health of Uzbekistan, stated, "Although Uzbekistan has centers related to traditional medicine, development had stalled due to a lack of long-term support. Based on this training program, the Ministry of Health will strive to advance traditional medicine and work closely with Korea in this effort."

Shin Jae-su, Acting President of the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development, said, "I hope this Korean medicine policy training will contribute to the development and exchange of traditional medicine between Korea and Uzbekistan. We will continue to cooperate on improving Uzbekistan's traditional medicine policies and systems, as well as supporting education."