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The hospital system in South Korea mainly belongs to the private sector. In terms of medical facilities, private hospitals and clinics account for 92.6 percent of all facilities. In terms of the number of beds, private hospitals and clinics make up 87.4 percent of the beds. The South Korean government is aiming to increase direct foreign investment in the healthcare sector. It aims to attract an additional $15 billion towards reinforcing the country’s healthcare facilities by the year 2010. In the year 2002, the South Korean government made revisions to the Medical Act enabling the use of electronic order communications and electronic medical records by the doctors. This law came into effect in 2003 and since then has increased the efficiency of hospital information systems in South Korea immensely. Almost all hospitals of South Korea with more than 100 beds are in
the process of installing Hospital Information Systems. It is mandatory for all residents of South Korea to take out an insurance policy under the Health Insurance System. According to an estimate of 2003, the Health Insurance Program covered 97 percent of the population. The remaining 3 percent were covered by the Medical Aid Program, a Korean social service program.
Medical Tourism in South Korea
South Korea is one of the major centers for medical tourism in Asia. Health care in South Korea is cheap and extremely efficient. Most of the hospitals belong to the private sectors and are staffed by doctors many of whom have international qualifications. The hospitals are equipped with the latest technology and medical equipments. The hospitals and clinics are of world-class standards. Most of the doctors speak some English. The cost of treatment in South Korean cities is very less as compared to American hospitals. For example, the treatment of tonsillitis in South Korea would cost $30, including visit to the local doctor and medication. It is easy to fill a medication prescription at a pharmacy. Drugs are available at comparatively cheap prices. Many hospitals in South Korea have specially set up international departments. The South Korean government has introduced measures to increase the influx of medical tourists to South Korea. The visa process for foreign patients has been eased. South Korean government and hospitals have also come together in their marketing efforts to encourage medical tourists, especially from Asian countries to visit South Korea. South Korea has been able to establish itself as a major center for cosmetic and plastic surgery. In fact, South Korea is considered the world’s capital for plastic surgery. South Korea has also become a major destination for those seeking stem cell transplant. This is a process used in cancer treatment. South Korean scientists have made numerous breakthroughs in the stem cell process. They have developed a more efficient procedure of creating clone embryos from patients who wish to have a stem cell transplant. The government has also launched the Korea Medical Service Promotion Agency to make foreigners more aware of the country’s low-cost, high quality medical care and to attract more medical tourists. In 2005, about 10,000 medical tourists sought treatment in South Korea. The government hopes to increase this number to 15,000 by 2007.
All people wishing to enter the Republic of South Korea must have a valid visa and passport. The nationals of the following countries can enter Korea for business or travel purposes without a visa. These are the countries, which have visa exemption agreements with South Korea. Some of these countries are Bangladesh, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece. The following Nationals who want to visit Korea just for a short-term tour or transit are permitted to enter Korea with no visa according to the principles of reciprocity or priority of national interests with a tourist/transit visa status(B-2, 30days). Special status is awarded to Canadians (6 months) and Australian (90days). U.S.A., Canada, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Yemen, Oman, Japan, Qatar, Taiwan, Hongkong. For more information about visa policies of South Korea, click here. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, South Korea.
To book hotels in South Korea, click here.
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