▶ On-site consultations conducted for KGAs of the Infectious Disease Specialist Training Course
▶ Evaluation of on-the-job application of disease diagnosis and infectious disease response among graduates
from Cambodia and Uzbekistan under the Korean government ODA program, organized by KOFIH
▶ On-site Consultation at the Republican Specialized Scientific-Practical Medical Center of Epidemiology,
Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
The Korea University – GC Labs Consortium conducted on-site consultations in 2025 as part of the follow up activities of the Dr. Lee Jong-wook Fellowship Program for Infectious Disease Specialists, organized by the Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH). On-site follow-up was conducted in two rounds for KOFIH Global Alumni (KGA) of the 2025 Infectious Disease Specialist Training Course. Following the first on-site consultation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from December 10 to 16, 2025, the second was carried out in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from January 25 to 28, 2026.
During the visit, the team held workshop with the fellows to hear how they are applying their lessons learned from the training and to provide consultation and support on their activities. In addition, site visits were carried out at three of the fellows’ affiliated institutions: the Cambodia-China Friendship Preah Kossamak hospital in Cambodia; the Republican Specialized Scientific-Practical Medical Center of Epidemiology, Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (RSSPMCEMIPD); and the Research Institute of Virology (RIV) in Uzbekistan. The visit aimed to identify areas for improvement or supplementation within the Action Plans and to discuss with the advisors on the chosen agendas.
During the workshop as part of the second on-site consultation, ten KGAs of the 2025 program shared that they had disseminated the lessons learned to coworkers through meetings after returning to their home countries. In Uzbekistan, four KGAs who completed the program between 2022 and 2024 also participated in the workshop to share their experiences and opinions.
As part of the first on-site consultation, the team visited Preah Kossamak hospital, the affiliated institution of Dr. Romanea Chem. During the visit, they reviewed the operational status of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and infection prevention and control (IPC) within the institution and discussed the directions for strengthening the clinical utilization of AMR data.
As part of the second on-site consultation, the team visited RSSPMCEMIPD, the affiliated institution of Dr. Bagdagul Seyfullaeva. In light of the introduction of the antibiotic prescription policy in January 2026, advisory support was provided on the research environment for comparing and analyzing AMR trends before and after the policy's implementation, as well as for the potential development of an antimicrobial resistance center.
Subsequently, the on-site consultation was conducted at RIV, the affiliated institution of Dr. Saidkhon Sharapov and Dr. Ramil Gareev. During discussions at RIV, the external quality assessment (EQA) field was recognized as a priority area with significant mid- to long-term demand in Uzbekistan; To be recognized as an EQA provider, the consultation team and RIV explored potential linkages among relevant partner institutions.
The first year's follow-up is currently ongoing, in the form of both on-site and online consultations, which will end in April. During this period, each KGA's action plan and on-the-job application activities will be monitored along with a comprehensive analysis of affiliations' structures and working environments, and provide consultation tailored to each fellow.