ID :
57972
Tue, 04/28/2009 - 15:57
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/57972
The shortlink copeid
S. Korean hospitals to attract foreign patients from May
SEOUL, April 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korean hospitals will be allowed to directly
attract foreign patients starting in May that could help reduce the country's
medical service sector deficit, and boost competitiveness, the government said
Tuesday.
The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said changes to the medical
practice law could improve competitiveness of local hospitals and clinics, and
help stem the 65 billion won (US$48.1 million) deficit the country posts every
year in this field.
A foreign patient is expected to spend roughly seven million won on average to
get treatment in the country.
"Lifting restrictions that barred direct advertisement or receiving patients
through dedicated referral services can open new horizons for the medical service
industry as a whole," a ministry official said.
He added such developments can help generate new earnings that could help raise
the quality of treatment provided by local clinics in the future.
There has been a steady stream of foreigners visiting the country to receive
dental care, plastic surgery and general medical checkups that are relatively
cheaper here than in some Western countries and Japan. Getting a comprehensive
medical checkup in South Korea costs around US$500-600 compared to roughly $2,500
in some foreign countries.
The official said that to alleviate concerns that South Korean patients will not
be placed at a disadvantage, only 5 percent of all beds at hospitals that receive
foreigners will be set aside for such patients, with foreign nationals living in
the country to be excluded from receiving such services. Domestic advertisement
will be banned, with hospitals and clinics barred from attracting patients in
cooperation with insurance companies.
The Korea Health Industry Development Institute, which will oversee operations
and receive applications from local hospitals, said up to 80,000 foreign patients
may visit the country every year to receive medical attention. This, it said,
represents a two-fold increase from last year.
It added up to 500 clinics and 40-50 general hospitals in the country are
expected to apply to attract foreign patients including Seoul National University
Hospital, Samsung Medical Center and Asan Medical Center.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
attract foreign patients starting in May that could help reduce the country's
medical service sector deficit, and boost competitiveness, the government said
Tuesday.
The Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs said changes to the medical
practice law could improve competitiveness of local hospitals and clinics, and
help stem the 65 billion won (US$48.1 million) deficit the country posts every
year in this field.
A foreign patient is expected to spend roughly seven million won on average to
get treatment in the country.
"Lifting restrictions that barred direct advertisement or receiving patients
through dedicated referral services can open new horizons for the medical service
industry as a whole," a ministry official said.
He added such developments can help generate new earnings that could help raise
the quality of treatment provided by local clinics in the future.
There has been a steady stream of foreigners visiting the country to receive
dental care, plastic surgery and general medical checkups that are relatively
cheaper here than in some Western countries and Japan. Getting a comprehensive
medical checkup in South Korea costs around US$500-600 compared to roughly $2,500
in some foreign countries.
The official said that to alleviate concerns that South Korean patients will not
be placed at a disadvantage, only 5 percent of all beds at hospitals that receive
foreigners will be set aside for such patients, with foreign nationals living in
the country to be excluded from receiving such services. Domestic advertisement
will be banned, with hospitals and clinics barred from attracting patients in
cooperation with insurance companies.
The Korea Health Industry Development Institute, which will oversee operations
and receive applications from local hospitals, said up to 80,000 foreign patients
may visit the country every year to receive medical attention. This, it said,
represents a two-fold increase from last year.
It added up to 500 clinics and 40-50 general hospitals in the country are
expected to apply to attract foreign patients including Seoul National University
Hospital, Samsung Medical Center and Asan Medical Center.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)
