The Ministry of Health of Ukraine and Good Friends International signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in the healthcare sector
On January 20, 2026, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine hosted a working meeting between the Minister of Health, Viktor Liashko, and representatives of the international charitable organization Good Friends International (GFI).
Participants in the meeting included Dmytro Drahinich, Founder of GFI Ukraine; Yi Jimmy Kiwon, the organization’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board; Kim Yohan, GFI Ukraine Relationship Manager; and Olena Kim, GFI Ukraine Health Programs Director.
The parties discussed further cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and Good Friends International in the healthcare sector. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop an international partnership and implement joint healthcare initiatives.
“We express our sincere gratitude to our partners, particularly the Government and people of the Republic of Korea, for their consistent and systematic support of Ukraine’s healthcare system during this extremely challenging time. The signing of this document is an important step in the development of cooperation and opens up new opportunities for the implementation of joint initiatives aimed at strengthening the resilience of Ukraine’s healthcare system and improving patient access to high-quality medical services.”
The priority areas of cooperation include strengthening the capacity of Ukraine’s healthcare institutions, developing human resources, implementing public health projects, and attracting public funding from the Republic of Korea and other international sources to support Ukraine's healthcare system.
The document has been concluded for a five-year term, with an option for automatic renewal.
The memorandum is designed to serve as a practical tool for enhancing medical cooperation between Ukraine and the Republic of Korea, particularly by expanding collaboration with Korean medical professionals and institutions, as well as attracting Korean partners to participate in healthcare projects in Ukraine.
Overall, the cooperation between the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and Good Friends International has been systematic and ongoing for several years. Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, GFI has actively supported Ukraine's healthcare system and populations affected by the war. In 2024–2025, the organization provided medical equipment and supplies worth more than USD 2.7 million, supported 8 hospitals in the most affected regions, and launched a combat trauma treatment program with the support of the Republic of Korea government.