(Unofficial Translation)

Thank you Seoul National University Hospital President and CEO Dr. Kim Yon-su for your welcoming remarks. Thank you CEO of Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital Dr. Suh Chang-suk for your briefing on the status of medical services.

Dr. Kim didn’t come here just to brief me. As I understand, he is in the United Arab Emirates to visit the ongoing Korea Innovation Fair 2022, which has very innovative medical equipment from Korea on display, including a telemedicine device. It’s a great pleasure for me to meet you here at Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital by lucky chance.

As a matter of fact, I came here because I really wanted to express my gratitude and give encouragement to all of you working hard, enhancing national prestige, in a faraway country that has a different language, people and culture. Upon my arrival here, I received a bouquet of flowers, but my intention is to shower all of you with flowers.

Korea has recently ranked near the world’s top ten on several fronts and made advances overseas in many areas. Now in the healthcare sector, SNUH was selected as the consignment manager for Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, the UAE’s royal hospital that provides tertiary care. Subsequently, it has been entrusted to manage even Kuwait’s royal hospital. I feel an enormous sense of pride in the fact that Korea has advanced this far.

According to recent data, there are about 125 Korean medical institutions operating in 22 countries worldwide – 10 of those are in the UAE. In addition, Korean hospitals operate 13 other medical institutions under concession agreements. All of this makes me proud of the fact that our medical standards have been raised to the point that they are second to none worldwide.  

Different languages and cultures must make it very difficult for the staff to communicate. Nevertheless, these royal hospitals entering into a consignment operation agreement with SNUH proves their strong confidence in its medical standards. Furthermore, I also believe this is the result of the immense trust between Korea and the UAE. 

I found out after arriving here that former SNUH President and CEO Suh is serving here as the CEO for SKSH-RAK and that former Chief of the Armed Forces Medical Command of the Republic of Korea Hwang Il-woong is the Vice CEO. In addition, numerous highly talented doctors, medical staff and experienced, competent nurses are working together, so I feel very reassured in many ways.

When such a medical institution provides services overseas in the midst of the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is seen as not only a hospital but a part of international healthcare and medical service cooperation. Now, we have entered an era when such cooperation is very important. I believe that this will prove a very good opportunity to expand healthcare and medical service cooperation in various ways. 

Given the momentum created by our medical institutions, this is the time to make more and more opportunities for Korea from various biopharmaceuticals and medical equipment to even skin ointments and cosmetics. Thus, I believe that all of you are not only helping elevate our country’s status but also making enormous contributions to the economy. Moreover, you are playing the role of private ambassadors, working to strengthen the special strategic partnership between Korea and the UAE.

I am grateful to you in many ways. Still, I can imagine that you have likely experienced a lot of hardships and discontent. Since the Minister is also here with us, I expect such matters will be taken care of if you speak candidly today. Please feel free to talk about anything you have to say today.