Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) and the World Bank invited Ministries of Health of Caribbean countries to Korea to introduce and benchmark advanced Korean healthcare systems such as that of SNUBH to strengthen healthcare in the region.

The World Bank selected SNUBH as the only hospital panelist for the Healthcare Support Program for Caribbean Countries and visited Korea for one week in April to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Korea-World Bank Partnership Fund (KWPF).

As the host institution, SNUBH conducted a study trip workshop for the World Bank and delegates from the Ministries of Health of St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, from April 24-28. This included visits to public health centers, and public hospitals affiliated with SNUBH to observe the healthcare delivery system for severe and chronic diseases of national concern, such as cardiovascular diseases, and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) to observe the national health insurance system.

During the workshop, the delegation benchmarked various digital healthcare technologies, smart solutions for indicator management, and hospital operations, including SNUBH’s medical information system BESTCare 2.0 which has been certified by HIMSS EMRAM Stage 7, the world's leading authority in healthcare IT, for three consecutive years.

On the last day of the program, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between SNUBH and representative hospitals from St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to continue supporting the development of healthcare in both countries.

"As part of its ESG management, SNUBH has long been transferring know-how and supporting the development of underdeveloped countries such as Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Colombia," said SNUBH Director Song Jung-han. "In addition to the World Bank's support project, we will develop various programs for the development of healthcare in Caribbean countries and continue health cooperation with both countries."

In response, a representitive of the St. Lucian delegation said, "We look forward to sharing Korea's expertise with others so that everyone can receive quality healthcare services."