Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital

Hallym University Medical Center(HUMC) invited 15 medical experts from three Iraqi medical facilities to a training program on hospital management from September 21 to October 18. HUMC has been participating in official development assistant(ODA) programs of the Korea International Cooperation Agency(KOICA) as a Project Management Consultant(PMC) since 2007.

The four-week program was organized by Hallym to deliver Hallym's know-how on hospital management and patient care to medical professionals from the Baghdad College Laser Institution, the Al- Kindi College Knee-Joint Center, and the Al-Mustansiriya College Hemotology Center.

For the sake of effective training, trainees were split into their own departments at Hallym's affiliated hospitals, including Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, and Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital. This type of training responded to constant requests of former training groups and Hallym staff. As a result, first-hand training turned out to be more effective than lectures given in one lecture room. Iraqi experts were hard-working and acquired clinical knowledge and experiences of Hallym at plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, otorhinolaryngology, ophthalmology, dentistry, dermatology, and laboratory medicine.

HUMC lectured on medical engineering, 'How to install and use medical equipment,' to seven medical engineers, and arranged a meeting with employees of medical equipment companies for further discussion.

After the closing ceremony, Dr. Abdullah Salim Najm Abdullah said, "This 4-week training program has been an eye-opening, stimulating as I was able to take a look at cutting-edge medical equipment and facilities, and I got lots of knowledge from Hallym's professionals. I also cherish a lot of happy memories in Korea thanks to all Hallym members who made me feel at home. When I return home, I will try my best to enhance our medical quality."

At the closing, Dr. Seok Woo Kim, head of the PMC, said, "I believe this program ended with a great success, thanks to professors of HUMC. I hope this educational support would help secure medical personnel in Iraq, and reduce the mortality and disease rates."

By Jonghun Im, Int'l Operations Team, HUMC (imjonghun@hallym.or.kr)