□ The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) held its 18th anniversary ceremony on Friday, August 23 at 10:00 at Dr LEE Jong-wook Hall on the 7th floor of the KOFIH Office.

○ The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination Kim Hyejin of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), previous Presidents, guests, and 80 employees of KOFIH. The ceremony consisted of an opening declaration, national rituals, introduction of guests, opening remarks, congratulatory remarks, commendation from Minister of Health and Welfare, and recognition from KOFIH President.

□ KOFIH President Ha Il-Soo said in his opening speech ‘KOFIH has been at the forefront of improving global health and providing humanitarian assistance for the past 18 years, and will continue to promote Korea's healthcare capabilities in the international community’.

□ In her congratulatory remarks, Deputy Minister Kim Hyejin highly praised KOFIH's achievements and expressed her hope that KOFIH will further strengthen its role as a partner for international cooperation in public health that contributes to reducing global health inequalities.

□ The ceremony also recognized those who have contributed to KOFIH's development over the years. A total of 25 awardees were selected and given commendation from Minister of Health and Welfare, recognition from KOFIH President and President's Award for 10 years of service.

○ The Minister of Health and Welfare commendation is awarded to four recipients: Kim Ki-tae (Biomedical Engineering Department, Konkuk University Hospital), Kim Sun-yang (Law Firm Hanbaek), Kim Soon-ae (Director General, Country Office Supporting Center, KOFIH), and Kim Chae-eun (Deputy Representative, KOFIH Ghana Office). The recognition from KOFIH President is presented to 15 recipients: Shin Yoon-hyung (Deputy Manager, Research & Strategy Development Team, KOFIH), Lee Sun-joo (Deputy Manager, Regional Cooperation for Africa & Latin America Team, KOFIH), Kang Jin-sol (Assistant Manager, Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial School Team, KOFIH), Oh Kyung-kyun (Assistant Manager, Country Office Supporting Center, KOFIH), Lee Ye-hoon (Assistant Manager, Regional Cooperation for Asia Team, KOFIH), Vilathong Souksenesamlane (Senior Project Manager, KOFIH Laos Office), Choeng Sisocheata (Project Team Leader, KOFIH Cambodia Office), Aytkulov Abdimurat Asanovich (Head, Facility Management Team, Arirang Nursing Home), Temesgen Abreha Gebresilasie (Project Manager, KOFIH Ethiopia Office), Simon Waiswa (Project Manager, KOFIH Uganda Office), Oh Sung-soo (Head, Business Strategy Division, Korea International Cooperation Agency), Lee Yuri (Assistant Professor, Department of Healthcare Informatics, Myongji College), Ye Byeong-il (Professor, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University), Noh Sat-byul (Team Leader, Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service) and Noh Chang-bo (Team Leader, Future Healthcare Team, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital). The following six employees of KOFIH were given President’s Award for 10 years of service: Kang Hyung-goo (Representative, KOFIH Myanmar Office), Kim Soon-ae (Director General, Country Office Supporting Center, KOFIH), Kim Min-ah (Manager, Humanitarian Development & Migrant Health Team, KOFIH), Kim Myung-sup (Manager, Administration Support Team, KOFIH), Ryu Kyung-nam (Representative, KOFIH Vietnam Office), and Jung Sun-kyung (Manager, Dr LEE Jong-wook Memorial School Team, KOFIH).

□ Celebrating its 18th anniversary, the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) took a look back at its achievements. Established in 2007, KOFIH currently has 10 overseas offices around the world and has been at the forefront of improving global health and humanitarian assistance with health projects worth about 64 billion won ($ 48 million). Over this period, KOFIH has successfully implemented a variety of healthcare programs through a number of overseas projects, and has played an important role in promoting Korea's healthcare capacity around the world and raising its profile in the international community.

□ ‘Going forward, KOFIH will continue its activities to bring hope to more people around the world and will do its best to promote the excellence of Korean healthcare,’ said an official from KOFIH. 

□ In order to implement its newly selected mission as a health partner that contributes to reducing global health inequalities, KOFIH will strive to establish its position befitting its mission by implementing its four core values of trust and responsibility, solidarity and cooperation, learning and growth, and communication and innovation throughout the entire organization.