The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) said it took the first step to export Korea’s state health insurance system to Gambia in Africa.

The NHIS said it has received a letter of intent (LOI) from Gambia’s Health Ministry to share Korea’s legal consultation and ICT system to establish a national health insurance system.

According to the NHIS, the LOI confirmed the Gambia’s interest in long-term development and cooperation projects with Korea to receive legal consultation for the health insurance system, inviting Korean officials to provide training and run pilot programs. The LOI was made in close cooperation with the World Bank, the NHIS said.

The LOI also includes sharing Korea’s experience of responding to the new coronavirus.

Muhammed Lamin Jaiteh, Permanent Secretary One at the Ministry of Health of the Gambia, signed and sent the LOI via a non-contact delivery to prevent Covid-19 infections.

Kang Sang-baek, chief of Global Cooperation Office at the NHIS, said the latest LOI would serve as a stepping stone to promote Korea’s national health insurance program in Africa.

“By strengthening cooperation with the World Bank, we will continue to seek global development projects to promote Korea’s excellent health insurance system and response to Covid-19 in the world,” Kang said.