South Korea is no longer famous only for its soap opera stars,K-pop heartthrobs,24-hours shopping and A-grade designer fakes.Health travel to the country is also growing by leaps and bounds.The International Medical Travel Journal says South Korea posted its first ever net surplus on medical tourism during 2011,with foreigners spending US$115.6 million on various forms of treatment there.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, 81,789 foreigners sought such services in 2010. The Bank of Korea,which been charting the rise in the number of foreign patients since 2006,predicts that as many 400,000 tourists will visit the country in 2018,spending US$1.34 billion between them.
Advanced treatment for various spinal and orthopaedic problems,dentistry,organ transplantation,cancer treatment, and cyber-knife surgery are just a few of the services that have made this east Asian destination a hit with medical tourists from western countries. Korea is also an international frontrunner in robotic surgery,in which a robotic arm that can rotate 360 degrees enables surgeons to see 3D images at 20 times magnification.
The government has launched a programme to guarantee the quality of medical services and gain the confidence of foreign patients.So far,more than 2,000 medical institutions and agencies have registered under it.Medical treatment visas,a round-the-clock call centre, one stop medical tourism service centres to resolve disputes, and training for medical coordinators and interpreters have also been inaugurated to enhance Korea's profile as a leading medical tourism destination,and to assist foreign patients and ensure their safety.
Besides medical treatment,Seoul has plenty of tourist attractions.Between them,the city's 25 districts offer a lot to see and do.Small wonder that South Korea's capital ranks third on the New York Times list of must-visit destinations.In fact,its kaleidoscope of art galleries,charming cafes,restaurants and 24-hours shopping may leave first-time visitors feeling slightly overwhelmed.
However,there are few challenges as well.English is not very widely spoken,and bust traffic conditions can make getting around problematical at times,which is not so ideal for a medical traveller.
So one of the most important things if you come seeking medical treatment is to be careful about choosing where you stay.Gangnam "gu" or district is a good base if you to remain in Seoul;whereas Daegu City, a short ride from the capital,is another medical hub that boasts many world-class facilities.
