Korea, the best Healthcare in the World?

When you think of South Korea, few things come to mind such as Samsung, LG and K-pop. What about medicine? Did you know South Korea achieves the HIGHEST rate of cancer survival in the WORLD, even higher than the US and EU.

 We visted “Korea Medical and Wellness Travel Mart 2017” to understand JUST how, and why they are doing so well in medicine. So with that said, here are THE 6 key takeaways from that event: 

1. Infertility treatments: CHA Gangnam Medical Center

Among the many infertility treatment centers in South Korea, one of the more famous centers is CHA Medical Group’s Fertility Center located in Gangnam, Seoul. The center carries an international reputation for having achieved key milestones, among them is being the world’s first successful birth through in-vitro maturation of immature eggs...Asia’s first pregnancy without ovaries... AND the world’s first HUMAN egg bank! The center’s advanced fertility technology is shared with the U.S. in conjunction with CHA-Columbia Fertility Center at Columbia University in New York City, AND a fertility center in Los Angeles, California. The center is always exploring the frontier of fertility treatments with stem cell treatment research, as well as the molecular genetics research for patients with idiopathic infertility. So basically, it comes down to one thing, if getting pregnant is important to you, we really suggest one of many well-reputed treatment centers in South Korea! DrFive is certain you will find a great solution there.

 Interview: (Dr. Min Kyung Choi, Endocrinologist, CHA Gangnam Medical Center) I work at the IVF center in CHA Gangnam medical center. And we help the women who want to get pregnant.

2. Complex cancer cases: Seoul National University - Bundang Hospital

If you ask ANY Korean where they would go for more serious health issues, the consensus is usually “Seoul National University Hospital” The university runs two giant general hospitals in Seoul, with the newest of the two being Seoul National University - Bundang Hospital. This hospital is in the Southern part of Seoul or “new Seoul” and provides services to the increasing population within the area. The hospital has already been awarded numerous global titles for its level of excellence, one of them in particular being the first hospital outside of the U.S. to be certified as an EMR Stage 7 Hospital, the highest level of operational efficiency through digitization. The team at Bundang succeeded in the world’s first laparoscopic liver transplant operation, and single port laparoscopic gastric cancer operation. The team also holds the world’s highest preservation rate at 96.4% of the anus after distal colo-rectal cancer operation. Another center is the Respiratory Center, and claims THE world’s highest survival rate at 88% for stage 1 lung cancer, and is also the world’s first to investigate lung cancer aggravating proteins.

So, no matter how serious or challenging your cancer case, we highly suggest you to consider Seoul National Hospital as your preferred treatment location for the latest and best in cancer treatments.   

Interview: (Dr. Joong Hang Choh, Physician in Chief & Director of International Healthcare Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) I think we are particularly well prepared to provide technically demanding, whether it is cancer surgeries, back surgeries or bariatric surgeries, for GCC patient populations.

3. Organ transplants:  ASAN Medical Center

When it comes to Organ transplants, Asan Medical Center is recognized among the top centers in the world and is currently the largest medical institution in Korea with a total of 2,704 beds occupying about 85,000 square meters.. The hospital has conducted over 9,900 organ transplants for: liver, heart, kidney, and the pancreas.

The center has also received global attention as the first to perform a living donor liver transplant using a modified right lobe graft in 1999, a dual living donor liver transplant in 2000, and an exchange liver transplant in 2003.

In addition to receiving numerous domestic and global awards for their work, what really sets Asan apart from other organ transplant centers is the fact that they maintain a 1 year survival rate of 98% which is well above the U.S. average of 88%. So if it’s a transplant you need, and a higher rate of survival we definitely believe Asan Hospital has you covered!

Interview: (Dr Yu Mi Kang, Clinical Fellow, Asan Medical Center) Asan medical center is the largest hospital in Korea with 2700 beds and over 1700 doctors focusing on severe diseases or complex cases. Our hospital has multiple specialty centers specially designed to address these complex cases. One of the best centers that we are proud of, out of so many, is the organ transplantation center. 

4. Orthopedic surgeries: Yonsei Sarang Hospital - Gangnam

Yonsei Sarang hospital is an innovative leader in orthopedic treatment using the newest technologies such as stem cell research, and 3D printing. 

3D printed implants are used to conduct a TOTAL knee replacement. The implants are sized, shaped and contoured according to the patient’s knee cartilage and knee alignment requirements, enhancing the precision by 100% compared to traditional implants. As a result, you spend less time in surgery, minimize complications, and reduce any potential blood loss.

The stem cell therapy provides outstanding outcomes in regeneration of damaged cartilage, degenerative arthritis, and some other joint diseases. The cartilage regrows itself after the procedure without any rejection from your immune system.

The hospital has published 36 articles in highly-respected international SCI Journals such as “The Knee” and “American Journal of Sports Medicine” and established a partnership with leading institutions such as “Rizzoli Research Center” in Italy and “Professor Ichiro Sekiya” at Tokyo University. Yonsei Sarang hospital is continuously pushing the boundaries of 3D technology, stem cell therapy and we will definitely continue to hear more about their faster, and improved results for our human body.

 Interview: When the implants are 3D printed to fit perfectly into the body, we can reduce the risk by half. In other words, out of 100 patients, we would get 5 - not 10 - returning for re-surgery in 20 years time. 

5. Plastic surgery: ID Hospital, View Plastic Surgery, RIZ Cosmetic Laser Vaginal Surgery Center

If you are familiar with “K-beauty”, snail cream or sheet mask, then you must already know that South Korea is the center of innovation and excellence when it comes to aesthetics. With THE HIGHEST number of plastic surgery conducted for every 1,000 people, or 25% of the global market share, South Korea can justifiably be labelled as THE-GO-TO destination for plastic surgery. We took a closer look at the three internationally known clinics:

First up….ID Hospital. If you remember “Pixee Fox”, a plastic surgery enthusiast who underwent 4 breast augmentations, 2 liposuction surgeries, brow…. butt lifts… eye-color-change….you name it, she’s probably done it, or getting it done!…..Pixee Fox had extensively researched prior to her jaw surgery, which can be a very complex and challenging procedure. In the end, she decided to go with ID Hospital in South Korea, as THEY ARE THE inventors of the “No-tie Double Jaw Surgery” and the “V Line Square Jaw Surgery”, procedures that ID hospital has been globally recognized for in Jaw and Cheekbone reduction. Its 3D-CT, germ-free air shower as well as the specialized “Anesthesia and Pain Care Center” helps enhance both the technological expertise and guaranteeing the highest level of safety. Its excellence in safety and service has also been recognized through accreditation from the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare – making ID Hospital the ONLY plastic surgery clinic in South Korea to achieve this recognition.

Second, View Plastic Surgery.

Staying with the safety theme, DrFive also checked out View Plastic Surgery. The clinic boasts AN IMPRESSIVE RUN of 13 years of absolutely ZERO medical accidents since its opening back in 2005, and that seems to be attributed to their operations systems, staff and facility. VIEW run a dedicated anesthetic team to closely monitor their patients and installed a General Hospital-type-level of emergency care and sterilization equipment. VIEW is also recognized by the Gangnam district government as a top foreign patient service facility for comfort and safety.

Third, RIZ Cosmetic Laser Vaginal Surgery Center

Finally, we looked at Vaginal surgery or Mummy makeover. It is one of the fastest growing plastic surgery procedures as focus has shifted towards aesthetic satisfaction in the less visible areas of the body. Since its opening in 2001, Riz has been the first clinic in Asia to pioneer revolutionary vaginoplasty using the latest in laser technology for effective and long-lasting results. RIZ has registered trademarks named after its unique technologies such as “Laser Vaginal Rejuvenation”, “Designer Laser Vaginoplasty” and “Laser Vaginoplasty Center”. RIZ claims to bring back the vaginal strengths and tightness of the 20s’ using single local anesthesia, while minimizing post-operative bleeding and pain, all thanks to their advanced surgical techniques.

Korean Traditional Medicine: Jaseng Hospital

You might have noticed Michael Phelps with huge cupping marks on his back when he competed at the Olympic swimming finals. Phelps was using cupping therapy for faster muscle recovery and relaxation after training. You probably already know that non-surgical treatments such as acupuncture can work better for certain types of pain and recovery. One hospital that combines long traditions of oriental medicine while also incorporating the latest in medical technology such as MRIs is Jaseng Hospital.

Jaseng’s integrative medical system consists of 280 medical specialists treating over 900,000 clinical cases every year. Its research team collaborates with overseas institutions such as Harvard Medical School and University of California - Irvine on the effects of non-surgical treatments. Jaseng Hospital currently runs 8 clinics in the US, and it’s own international clinic in South Korea for the convenience of foreign patients ….providing services from patient registration all the way to incorporating touristic packages. … If you’re looking for a more natural, and less invasive form of treatment, Jaseng Hospital is clearly your next choice for more effective results.

Interview: (Dr. Raymund Royer, Medical Director of International Clinic, Jaseng Hospital) Jaseng Hospital is specialized in spinal condition or joint problems like herniated disk, which we treat non-surgically.

SO…With EVERYTHING from Infertility and cancer treatments to Plastic surgery and Korean traditional treatments, South Korea seems to have great servings for visitors from all around the world. ALSO, Lets not forget the delicious foods, buzzing fashion districts, various attractions, and now by having world-leading medical practices, you have A MORE important reason to visit South Korea.