South Korea and Ethiopia Sign Trilateral MOU to Introduce Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) Technology for Cervical Cancer Diagnosis
HONG MOON HWA Senior Reporter
hgeranti@hanmail.net | 2026-11-10 11:28:27
[Photo 1] The trilateral MOU signing ceremony. Attendees included Chairman David Cha, Hospital Director Dr. Shimelis, Ministry of Health Communication Director, and Professor Jung Sang-hoon of Gyeongju University (Note: Gyeongbok University).
The Ethiopia Bet Corporation (Chairman David Cha), Ancelle Bio, and Ethiopia’s ALERT Comprehensive Specialized Hospital signed a trilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Addis Ababa on the 9th (local time), officially launching cooperation to improve women's health in East Africa.
The core of this agreement is the dissemination of Liquid-Based Cytology (LBC) diagnostic technology and the establishment of a specialized workforce training center within ALERT Hospital. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in developing countries, making early diagnosis crucial. However, local medical infrastructure limitations have posed significant challenges. The parties to the agreement shared the consensus that technology transfer and the establishment of a systematic clinical education system are key to sustainable health self-reliance.
[Photo 2] Delivery and inspection of the 200-unit medical donations that completed customs clearance.
The signing ceremony was attended by key figures from both sides, including Chairman David Cha and Dr. Shimelis, Director of ALERT Hospital. A communications director from the Ethiopian Ministry of Health was also present to affirm the public interest value of the project and express support.
Prior to the agreement, both sides smoothly completed the duty-free customs clearance process for their third batch of medical donations consisting of 200 units. Following customs clearance, the donated supplies underwent local delivery and inspection procedures.
This project is planned to extend beyond one-off support into intergovernmental cooperation. Once the CEO of ALERT Hospital submits a technical proposal to the Ministry of Health (MoH), the government-to-government (G2G) IDA application process will proceed through the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and onward to the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Through this, the initiative aims to secure ODA Fast-Track status in 2026, mobilize funding linked to the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF), and ultimately expand cancer diagnostic infrastructure across Ethiopia over the long term.
Chairman David Cha stated, "We will continue to cooperate so that more women can receive early diagnoses and protect their health."
[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]
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