Digital health industry body launched to improve systems for growth

“Multinational companies are leading the local digital healthcare industry. We need an association to tackle this issue.”

It was the message shared among digital healthcare experts when the Korea Digital Health Industry Association (KoDHIA) officially launched and held an inaugural meeting at the Korea Scout Association’s office in Yeouido, Seoul, on Tuesday.

Consisting of experts from small- and medium-sized venture firms, academic circles, hospitals, and research institutes, the association aims to be a partner with the government to build a sound environment for the growth of the local digital healthcare industry.

“The healthcare sector can generate the biggest synergy with technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It is encouraging that the government is also aware of the need to grow the industry,” said Song Seung-jae, inaugural president of the association and CEO of LifeSemantics, a healthcare IT firm for personal health tracking service.

“While the local digital healthcare is still at an early stage for technology development, other countries including the U.S. and Japan are moving fast to nurture the industry,: Song said “When foreign companies’ capital and service enter the weak domestic local digital health market, they might encroach on domestic businesses. We, as an association, should respond to such a trend.”

To nurture the digital health industry, KoDHIA said it would help the government improve policies and legal and regulatory measures through research, law revision suggestions, advice for related ministries, debates at the National Assembly, and public campaigns to promote digital healthcare.

In addition, the association also aims to make local standards and certifications in digital healthcare, help them meet international standards, and study on guidelines.

It will also hold forums, build networks, and publish reports to promote digital healthcare, as well as nurture experts, develop certificates, and participate in the state-supported projects.

“The Fourth Industrial Revolution is hitting the market at a faster-than-expected pace. The paradigm of the medical service industry is changing into customized prevention of diseases and management-oriented medical care,” said Lee Seung-woo, director general for system industry at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, in his congratulatory remarks.

He went on to say, “The medical innovations led by digital healthcare will enhance vulnerable households’ access to medical service and contribute to curing of rare diseases. I hope the association can make concerted efforts to boost the local businesses’ global competitiveness.”

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