Korea - The Health Destination by Red Door Productions FZ LLC

KOREA - THE Korea the HEALTH DESTINATION health destination A GULF NEWS SPONSORED SUPPLEMENT WITH KOREA HEALTH INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE(KHIDI)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019

A GULF NEWS SPONSORED SUPPLEMENT WITH KOREA HEALTH INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE(KHIDI)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 17, 2019

A gulf news sponsored supplement with korea health industry development institute (KHIDI)

sunday, january 27, 2019

A new leader in A new leader in global healthcare global healthcare

Quality services and advanced medical technologies Quality services and advanced medical technologies make Korea a medical tourism destination of choice. make a medical tourism destination of choice. We listKorea the strengths. We list the strengths.

Excellent Medical Korea Excellent Medical Korea

Convenient Medical Korea Convenient Medical Korea

Outstanding Medical Technology Outstanding Medical Technology

Medical Korea Information Center

For major cancer types, decreased mortality with increased survival rates due 5-year cancer survival rates such as robots. to advanced medical technologies For major cancer types, decreased mortality with increased survival rates due Thyroid cancer cancer Cervical cancer to advanced medical technologies suchBreast as robots. % % %

92.3 Breast cancer 92.3 Stomach%cancer % 75.4 Stomach cancer 75.4%

79.9 Cervical cancer % 79.9 Rectal cancer % 71.0 Rectal cancer 71.0%

5-year posttransplant survival rates

World’s top success rates of organ transplantations such as liver and kidney 5-year posttransplant survival rates transplants from living donors. World’s top success rates of organ transplantations such as liver and kidney Heart Mortality from ischaemic transplantsLiver from living donors. transplant

transplant

heart disease

Lowest Heart Mortality fromamong ischaemic % 100.0 92.3 OECDheart member countries transplant disease Kidney Lowest among % 100.0 92.3 transplant OECD member countries Pancreas Kidney % % 76.3 75.4 transplant transplant Korean Network for Organ yearbook, % Sharing (KONOS) Statistical % 2015 76.3 75.4 Liver % transplant Pancreas transplant %

Korean Network for Organ Sharing (KONOS) Statistical yearbook, 2015

Excellent Medical Facilities All hospitals in Korea are non-profit organisations and put the safety and satisfaction of patients ahead of profits. All hospitals in Korea are non-profit organisations and put the safety Number of hospital beds for ahead every 1,000 in OECD member states and satisfaction of patients of profits. (Units: number of beds per 1,000) Number of hospital beds for every 1,000 in OECD member states (Source: OECD statistics 2014) CANADA 2.6 (Units: number of beds per 1,000) (Source: OECD statistics 2014)

AUSTRALIA 3.8 USA 2.8 OECD 4.7 3.8 AUSTRALIA OECD 4.7

400,000 300,000 300,000 200,000 200,000 100,000 100,000 0 0

consultation services in five languages on medical services related Medical Korea Information Centre provides information and to the Korean healthcare system, medical interpretation consultation services in five languages on medical services related to the Korean healthcare system, medical interpretation

GERMANY 8.1 GERMANY 8.1 9

KOREA 11.5

88.50

Doctor’s medical knowledge and skills Average hours of doctor’s treatment

88.50 80.26

Average hours of doctor’s treatment Description of treatment plan

80.26 88.46

Description of treatment plan Nursing and coordinator services

88.46 93.25

Consultation on entry and exit visas

Nursing and coordinator services Medical expenses

93.25 83.13

Consultation on entry and exit visas

Medical expenses Facilities and environment

83.13 88.07

Facilities and environment Communication with medical staff

88.07 91.88

Japanese

Chinese

Russian

Arabic

English

Japanese

Chinese

Russian

Arabic

One-Stop Service for the use of Medical Services One-Stop Service for the use of Medical Services 1 1 2 2 3

Provision of information on medical institutions and medical products Provision of information on medical institutions and medical products Support for the reservation of medical services Support for the reservation of medical services Use of medical services The cosmetic surgery tax refund system is available Use of medical services The cosmetic surgery tax refund system is available

122,297

159,464 159,464

364,189

266,501 266,501

296,889

364,189

296,889

211,218 5,485

7,261

6,101

7,238

2,165

3,515

2011 1,821

2012 2,165

3,515 2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

122,297 1,821

5,485

6,101

7,261

7,238

Popularity of Traditional Medicine Popularity of Traditional Medicine Korean traditional medicine offers its own treatments, hospitals

and prescriptions, with the World Health Organisation (WHO) Korean traditional medicine offers its Korean own treatments, recognising hanbang, or traditional medicinehospitals as valid and prescriptions, withKorean the World Health involves Organisation (WHO) medicine. Traditional medicine identifying recognising or traditional Korean as valid the physical hanbang, constitution of each patient andmedicine finding the right medicine. Traditional Korean medicine involves identifying (customised) care and prescription. Traditional Korean medicine the constitution of each patient findingmedicines, the right alsophysical prefers more natural treatments, such and as herbal (customised) and prescription. Korean medicine acupuncture care and moxibustion overTraditional artificial drug regimens of also prefers more natural treatments, such as herbal medicines, antibiotics and painkillers. acupuncture and moxibustion over artificial drug regimens of antibiotics and painkillers.

91.88

100

Non-Medical Services (%)

100

90.63

Translation Services Non-Medical Services (%)

Halal Food Visa Extension

79.04 87.16

One-Stop Service for the use of Medical Services 1

Visa Extension Accommodation Services

87.16 87.80

Accommodation Services Government-Supported Taxi Service

87.80 91.15

Government-Supported Taxi Service Public Transportation

91.15 84.53

321,574

One-Stop Service for the use of Medical Services

321,574

Communication with medical staff

90.63 79.04

Consultation on complaints about the use of Korean medical Institutions Consultation on complaints about the use of Korean medical Institutions Consultation on medical complaints and disputes and upport for transfer to the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency Consultation on medical complaints and disputes and upport for transfer to the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency

0 0

84.53

100

Public Transportation

100

Consultation on illegal brokerage Consultation on illegal brokerage

Number of Foreign and Middle East Patients (2011-2017) Total Foreign Patients Middle East Patients Total Foreign Patients Middle East Patients 211,218

Translation Services Halal Food

KOREA 11.5

88.42 and non-medical services in Korea. 95.9% of patients would like 88.42 % of patients expressed their satisfaction with medical to revisit Korea for medical purpose and 94.9% would like to and non-medical in Korea. 95.9% of patients would like recommend Koreaservices to their acquaintance. to revisit Korea for medical purpose and 94.9% would like to recommend Korea(%) to their acquaintance. Medical Services Doctor’s Services medical knowledge Medical (%) and skills

English

Number of Foreign and Middle East Patients (2011-2017) 400,000

For the better patient support, Korea operates two centers. Located in Myeongdong, Seoul and the Incheon international airport. For the better patient support, Korea operates two centers. Located in Myeongdong, and the Centre Incheon provides international airport. Medical Korea Seoul Information information and

Excellent Medical Facilities

USA 2.82.6 CANADA

Satisfaction Survey Result from Middle East Patients in 2017 Satisfaction Survey Result from Middle East in 2017 %Patients of patients expressed their satisfaction with medical

Medical Korea Information Center

5-year cancer survival rates

100.0 Thyroid cancer 100.0%cancer Colorectal 76.3% Colorectal cancer 76.3%

High Satisfaction on Medical Korea High Satisfaction on Medical Korea

Medical Tourism Support Center Medical Tourism Support Center

Conveniently located next to the airport’s customs and immigration centre. It provides visitors with information on medical tourism and Conveniently located next to Traditional the airport’sKorean customs and immigration related counseling services. medicinal herb tea centre. It provides information on medical tourism and is also available forvisitors visitorswith to try related counseling services. Traditional Korean medicinal herb tea is also available for visitors to try

Medical Training in Korea Medical Training in Korea

Korean hospitals provide medical training program for international Physicians through Korea Medical Training Program for Middle Korean provide medical trainingKorea program for international Easternhospitals physicians/Dentists, Medical Academy, KoreaPhysicians through Korea Medical for Middle Mongolia Seoul Project, Korea RussiaTraining medicalProgram Training program Eastern physicians/Dentists, Medical Korea Academy, KoreaMongolia Seoul Project, Korea Russia medical Training program Medical Korea Academy-Global Medical Korea Academy-Global Korea-Mongolia Seoul Project Korea-Mongolia Seoul Project Korea-Russia Medical Training Program Korea-Russia Medical Training Program KMTP for Middle Eastern Physicians KMTP for Middle Eastern Physicians

398 398 153 153 70 70 70 0

70 100

Total number of alumni 0 100 Total number of alumni

200

300

400

200

300

400

korea - the health destination

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Tried and treated A good number of referral patients from the region have been visiting Korea for successful treatment and surgery for a range of medical cases. We highlight a selection Ewha Womans University Medical Centre, Seoul

Seoul National University Hospital

Case: Treatment for lymphatic cancer through surgery and chemotherapy

Case: Treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta

UAE residents, 10-year-old Abdulla and his 8-year-old sister, Maymouna were diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta and multiple pathologic fractures. Osteogenesis deficiency is a hereditary disease that can cause multiple fractures in various parts of the body throughout a patient’s life, making it difficult for them to walk due to deformities. Since the siblings suffered from fractures more than 24 times, their parents decided to check the options abroad for specialised treatment. Their searches led them to Professor Cho Tae-Joon, at the department of orthopaedic surgery at Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH). A leading surgeon, Professor Tae-Joon was famed for treating osteogenesis deficiency disorders. The parents decided to visit South Korea in 2014 with their children and admit them for surgeries after meeting the doctor and his team. Both patients underwent successful Sofield operations on the femur and returned to the UAE the same year. Unfortunately, the siblings suffered another fracture in 2018, and the parents decided to revisit SNUH again to get them treated. Abdulla and Maymouna underwent additional Sofield operations on the tibia and were discharged without any postoperative complications. Professor Cho and his team at SNUH recently developed a new dual interlocking telescopic rod that does not just fasten but grows alongwith the bone. The pins planted to hold the bone in place also prevent it from growing in the wrong direction. “The newly developed rod is superior or similar to other devices in all aspects, including the maintenance period of the device, surgery time and length of the device, as well as reduction in complications such as bone remodeling,” according to a statement released by SNUH.

When UAE national Hessa Abdallah Alshamsi was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer, the discovery majorly affected Hessa’s work-life balance, forcing her to quit her job. She visited Thailand for further tests, where she received confirmation on her condition. Hessa revealed that the UAE government also supported her to visit countries such as the US, Singapore and Korea for more tests. In Korea, Hessa underwent an operation and up to 12 cycles of chemotherapy at the Ewha Womans University Medical Centre as part of her treatment. Coming back to the UAE to recuperate, Hessa revisited the Centre later to confirm that she had Shutterstock been completely cured. Hessa’s biggest worry was metastasis. “I didn’t know if the cancer had spread to the breast or lymph nodes and whether it would The newly metastasise to any of the other internal ordeveloped rod gans. Luckily, this did not occur,” she said. Hessa also revealed that she was afraid of is superior chemotherapy and its side effects. “However, I or similar to also believed regaining one’s health was more important than worrying about the side efother devices fects,” she said. in all aspects Hessa was grateful to the UAE government and the people for showing their support, as well including the as to her doctors, Dr Baek, Professor Paik Nammaintenance sun, Professor Moon Youngchul and the interpreters who made life easier for her during her period of the stay in Korea. “I am healed from this cancer now, device.” but my mother died from this same disease, so I am still scared of lymphatic cancer recurrence. I Professor Cho am hoping it will not come back again,” she said. Tae-Joon, SNUH

Asan Medical Center (AMC), Seoul

Case: Laparoscopic surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma Shanann Mohamed, a 30-year-old male Egyptian surgeon with multiple tumours in the liver, was among the nearly 15,000 overseas patients from 90 countries who visited AMC for treatment. Mohamed found he had five multiple hepatocellular carcinomas, including a 6-cmsized tumour during an abdominal ultrasonography session for fatty liver. Since he enjoyed body building as a hobby, Mohamed did not wish to have a large scar on his abdomen, and decided to undergo laparoscopic surgery. However, neither the equipment nor surgeons for laparoscopic surgery were available in Egypt. While searching for a hospital, he discovered a paper on laparoscopic surgery causing fewer complications than conventional open surgery, written by Professor Kim Ki-Hun of the Division of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery. He also learned that Professor Kim’s team performed the largest number of laparoscopic surgeries for hepatocellular carcinoma in the world. Contacting the hospital online, Mohamed got through to Professor Ki-Hun, who reviewed his medical records and examination images and an-

swered that laparoscopic surgery was possible. After a thorough examination at AMC, Mohamed underwent a seven-hour-long laparoscopic surgery on July 4, performed by Professor Kim Ki-Hun. The surgery was successful, and multiple hepatocellular carcinomas were completely removed. Dr Shanann said, “I was worried about Korea’s completely different culture from Egypt, but I could restore energy quickly thanks to the halal meals served for Muslim patients and a prayer room. It’s not just overseas patients, even doctors visit AMC to receive treatment, proving the confidence patients place in AMC. I am grateful to Professor Kim Ki-Hun’s perfect operation and for the heartwarming care I received from the nurses at AMC and the medical staff.” Professor Kim Ki-Hun said, “The surgery was relatively long because there were multiple hepatocellular carcinomas with a lot of tumours and they were difficult to access. However, laparoscopic surgery allowed him to quickly recover from surgery. Also, he knew well about his medical condition as a doctor, so we could build mutual trust while developing his treatment plan, and it seemed to contribute towards successful treatment.”

St Mary’s Hospital, Seoul

Samsung Medical Centre, Seoul

On July 4, 2018, a 63-year-old female UAE national, diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis visited the hospital on a referral request from the UAE’s Zayed Military Hospital in Abu Dhabi. She deferred being operated on at another hospital and visited St Mary’s for a second opinion. Complaining of fatigue and shortness of breath even during ordinary physical activity, she was unable to walk, symptoms consistent with NYHA classification II. Her echocardiogram showed all three cusps of the aortic valve being thickened and calcified with limitation in opening. Her left ventricle was thickened and left atrium mildly enlarged. A decreased movement in base to mid inferolateral wall of left ventricle was also noted. Her echocardiograhic finding was consistent with severe aortic stenosis with mild aortic regurgitation. With an SAVR planned, the patient was admitted and underwent SAVR (ATS 18 mm) under general anesthesia. Post-surgery, she was monitored and warfarinisation was later started for her artificial valve. A post-operative echocardiogram showed normalised systolic function of left ventricle with prosthetic aortic valve functioning well. She also received rehabilitation and gait training to improve her mobility as well as cardiac rehabilitation. She was discharged on in stable condition.

UAE resident, 38-year-old Alburushi Noora was admitted to Samsung Medical Center (SMC) as a case reference from a Dubai-based hospital after falling into a coma in May, 2016 on suffering fulminant hepatic failure (liver failure). The only way to save Alburushi was through transplant surgery, however with no eligible donors and with fulminant hepatic failure having a survival rate of just 10-25 per cent even with intensive treatment, the doctors could not afford to wait. The SMC staff, led by Professor Dong Hyun Shin of the Department of Gastroenterology, set about trying to recover the function of her damaged liver. It was a risk worth taking, with Alburushi finally opening her eyes five days after admission. A week on, with rapid improvement being registerd, Alburushi was taken off the artificial respirator. With her liver function improving, Alburushi was discharged a month later. Professor Dong Hyun Shin said, “It’s rare for an unconscious patient with liver failure to recover liver function only through intensive treatment without having a liver transplant, like Alburushi did. It is because of the efforts of the SMC team, who actively managed various situations caused by acute liver failure, as well as the will power shown by the patient.”

Case: Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR)

Case: Fulminant hepatic failure

Severence Hospital, Seoul

Case: Treatment for medullablastoma In February, 2015, Alhajerli Mubarak Mohammed, a seven-year-old UAE national was diagnosed with stage 4 medullablastoma, a malignant tumour of the central nervous system most commonly diagnosed in the cerebellum in children. Mohammed underwent surgery in the UAE to remove the tumour. However, an MRI of his spine and brain done later showed multiple seeding nodules on his left brain. This was when he was referred to the Severence Hospital in Korea. After examination and evaluation at the hospital in April the same year, Mohammed underwent chemotherapy sessions in the same month, which continued till November. Stem cell

transplantation was also conducted on December 31 as well as on April 21 in 2016. After discharge, Mohammed was kept under outpatient observation from May to December. There has been no recurrence of the condition, since. Observation and rehabilitation, however are ongoing.

7-year-old UAE national Alhajerli Mubarak Mohammed was successfully treated at the Severence Hospital

Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH)

Case: Unexplained Opsoclonus Myoclonus Ataxia (Rapid involuntary eye movement and muscle twitch and body imbalance) A 14-year-old female patient from a GCC country was admitted to a major local hospital due to abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Ataxia, severe rapid eye movements, muscle twitching, unsteady gait and generalised weakness were also noted in the patient. Post-viral opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome was suspected by the team of doctors after extensive investigation with MRI, CSF studies, etc. IVIG treatments (Immunoglobuline) were given for five days without success. The patient was then transferred to SNUBH. A SNUBH pediatric neurologist performed a thorough neurologic investigation and systemic imaging studies, in addition to regular neurologic evaluation that included CT scan of the chest and abdomen. A 3X5 cystic, calcified mass was noted in right adnexa in the pelvic CT scan. The neurologists felt a correlation between the neurologic symptoms of the patient and the cystic teratoma, a rare paraneoplastic phenomenon from the teratoma, i.e. cystic teratoma related opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome. (Abdominal teratoma causing unusual neurologic manifestation). Urgent surgical excision of the tumour was recommended and the patient underwent a single port laparoscopic excision of the right adnexal cystic teratoma (a 2CM key hole surgery, see picture). Upon completion, she showed immediate improvement of all her neurologic symptoms. Post-operatively, she received a short course of steroid and IVG treatment. Within 24-48 hours, most of her neurologic symptoms such as nystagmus, myoclonus and ataxia disappeared. More than a year later, the patient is completely cured and has rejoined school.

Bobath Memorial Hospital, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si

Case: Fx of vertebral bodies C3 to C5 and C7 to 1st rib on the left; Tetraplegia or severe spasticity in all four limbs The patient, 24-year-old UAE national, Abdalla Mohamed Alharmoodi, was disabled in a car accident shortly before being discharged from the army. After receiving robotic rehabilitation treatment in Germany, Alharmoodi initially retained some functionality in his limbs. However, on returning to the UAE Alharmoodi felt his physical functioning had degraded further. He was then hospitalised at Bobath, a Korean rehabilitation hospital on August 23 last year. The patient was initially not motivated by Bobath therapy, which the therapist performed one-on-one by hand. Alharmoodi was determined to improve his condition through treatment when given the opportunity, and wished to stand up or receive walk treatment. However, both his doctor and therapist convinced Alharmoodi that practicing excessive motions without completing core strength therapy would not be the right direction to follow. Moreover, they had reinforced treatment of the upper body trunk and waist using the Bobath approach. Subsequently, after being monitored by his doctor and the staff at Bobath, Alharmoodi’s confidence grew as he participated in walking training sessions using an assist walker and a treatment device as per his doctor’s instructions. Alharmoodi thanked Bobath Hospital for understanding and treating his condition well, saying that he would learn to be treated in the future without thinking too hastily, as he now had a correct understanding of his condition. On completing his treatment, Alharmoodi was discharged on December 14.

KOREA - THE HEALTH DESTINATION

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27, 2019

Experience the

smart care beyond cure

Organ transplants and cancer survival rates for patients treated in Korea are among the best in the world. These numbers and stats prove why Korea is a reliable medical destination

Outstanding Medical Technology

5-year cancer survival rates For major cancer types, decreased mortality with increased survival rates due to advanced medical technologies such as robots. Thyroid cancer

Breast cancer

Cervical cancer

100.0%

92.3%

79.9%

Colorectal cancer

Stomach cancer

Rectal cancer

76.3%

75.4%

71.0% Top1 among OECD member countries

International Comparison of Cancer Survival Rates, NCIC, 2017

5-year posttransplant survival rates World’s top success rates of organ transplantations such as liver and kidney transplants from living donors.

Mortality from ischaemic heart disease Lowest among OECD member countries

Liver transplant

Heart transplant

100.0%

92.3%

Pancreas transplant

Kidney transplant

76.3%

75.4%

More foreign patients are annually visiting Korea for difficult treatments, including a living-donor liver transplant (Israel), a test-tube baby (UAE), spinal disease (US), reconstructive rhinoplasty (Mongolia), osteosarcoma (Peru), and in vitro fertilization (China).

1 A Middle Eastern couple, who had been unable to conceive naturally, gave birth to twins through a test tube baby procedure in Korea. Reconstructive rhinoplasty (Mongolia)

2 A Mongolian patient, who had suffered from a congenital closure of nostrils, started breathing by himself after a reconstructive rhinoplasty in Korea.

Before

After

In vitro fertilization (China)

3 A Chinese patient, who had difficulty conceiving naturally because of the resection of her fallopian tubes, gave birth to a daughter through in vitro fertilization in Korea.

Korean Network for Organ Sharing (KONOS) Statistical yearbook, 2015

Registration System for Medical Institutions

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has started enforcing the registration system in 2009 for the institutions, which serve foreign patients in Korea, and it made the medical malpractice liability insurance mandatory in 2016. All of these is made to secure safer and higher-quality Korean medical services for foreign patients. Act on Support for Overseas Expansion of Healthcare System (’16)

“ Mandatory”

Safety and Trust

Medical malpractice liability Insurance

Training status by country 691 medical practitioners from 31 countries have completed the training program (as of December 2018) The top 6 countries with the most number of program alumni RUSSIA and the CIS EUROPE

ASIA

MIDDLE EAST

Registered Institutions Serving Foreign Patients Medical Institutions Serving Foreign Patients

1,800

Korean Accreditation Program for Hospitals Serving Foreign Patients (KAHF)

Medical Malpractice Liability Insurance

Facilitators Serving Foreign Patients

SOUTH AMERICA

Overall Medical Institutions Serving Foreign Patients

100% Insured

1,500

Evaluation System

ASIA

Morocco: 1 Angola: 1 Egypt: 1 Nigeria: 1

Nepal: 1 Laos: 3 Malaysia: 5 Mongolia: 188 Myanmar: 3 Vietnam: 26 Sri Lanka: 2

India: 5 Indonesia: 22 Japan: 1 China: 81 Cambodia: 23 Thailand: 1 Philippines: 7

EUROPE Spain: 1 Croatia: 1

MIDDLE EAST Saudi Arabia: 73

RUSSIA AND THE CIS Russia: 106 Belarus: 1 Uzbekistan: 23 Ukraine: 2 Kazakhstan: 96 Kyrgyzstan: 10 Turkmenistan: 2

SOUTH AMERICA Brazil: 1 Chile: 2 Peru: 1

Patient Safety System for surgical, procedures, emergency reponses, etc.

Respect for a Patient’s Rights and Medical Dispute Prevention

Medical Specialists

AFRICA

Logo and Certificate

Specialized Foreign Patient Services Medical Tourism Performance and Operating System

AFRICA

[520*/ 94 items each for hospital-and clinic-level medical institutions] Customized Services for Foreign Patientssuch as medical specialists, a patient’s rights, etc. [59 items for hospital-/clinic-level medical institutions]

Patient Safety System Safety Guarantee Activity

Patient Treatment

Medicine Management

Infection Control

Facility and Environmental Management

Medical Institutions are designated through the strict evaluation of various test items. * Accreditation of medical institutions pursuant to Article 58 of the Medical Service Act

Check Accredited Medical Institutions at www.visitmedicalkorea.com! KAHF: Korean Accreditation Program For Hospitals Serving Foreign Patients

korea - the health destination

SunDAY, JANUARY 27, 2019

Korea’s medical devices industry meets global demand

Export and import trends

The export and import of medical devices grew by 8.4 per cent and 10.9 per cent, respectively, in 2017 compared to 2016. The US and China were the top two importers of Korean medical devices, with the UAE ranking 17th on the list. Ultrasounding imaging systems, grft/prosthesis and soft contact lenses were among the top exports for Korea in 2017 (see table).

From ultrasound imaging systems to operating robots, Korean medical devices are catering to markets around the world with a series of niche and durable products ecent trends in the worldwide medical device industry indicate that national expenditure on healthcare services in Korea has been growing steadily with contributing factors including an aging population, development of healthcare technologies, higher interest in the quality of life, etc. National health expenditure as a percentage of GDP in Korea is expected to be 7.4 per cent of GDP by 2019. This suggests that the medical devices industry will become even more important. The world’s medical device market is expected to grow from $340.2 billion in 2014 to $467.7 billion in 2019. The US captured a 39.3 per cent market share with $133.8 billion dollars in 2014, followed by Japan with $31 billion (9.1 per cent) and Germany with $26.8 billion (7.9 per cent). In Korea the medical devices market was worth $5.8 billion in 2017, growing by 7.8 per cent compared to the previous year and 5 per cent annually on average since 2012.

A competitive industry

Korean medical device companies mainly produce IT-based products such as ultrasound imaging systems, dental CT, and PACS (picture archiving and communication systems), retaining a near infinite potential for high technology and production capacity. Korea’s medical information systems including EMR (electronic medical In Korea, the medical record), PACS, etc., are gaindevices market was worth ing recognition internation$5.8 billion in 2017, growing ally with overby 7.8 per cent compared to seas exports growing stead2016 and growing 5 per cent ily with Korean annually on average PACS maker, Infinitt Healthcare since 2012.” for instance exporting its products to 1,100 healthcare institutions across 38 countries such as the US, UK, Japan and Germany.

What’s trending?

Shutterstock

Top 20 Korean medical devices exported in 2017 Amount Ration(%) (USD 1,000)

Items

No.

Amount Ration(%) (USD 1,000)

Items

Ultrasound imaging system

551,482

17.4

Probe, diagnostic

52,415

1.7

Graft/prosthesis

188,122

5.9

IVD reagents for diagnosis of HIV, HBV, HCV, HTLV

44,136

1.4

Soft contact lens, daily-wear

152,657

4.8

Laser, surgical, Nd:YAG

44,043

1.4

implant, endosseous, fixture

140,154

4.4

Dental x-ray system, panoramic, digital

41,532

1.3

IVD Reagents for self testing Ⅱ

132,871

4.2

X-ray system, diagnostic, general-purpose, digital

41,311

1.3

Medical image, analog to digital transform, DR, CR

97,575

3.1

X-ray system, diagnostic, mobile, digital

40,136

1.3

IVD reagents for infectious disease marker

85,932

2.7

Body fat/lean ratio analyser, impedance

37,812

1.2

Dental x-ray system, panoramic/tomographic, digital

76,057

2.4

Pump, breast, electrically-powered

32,471

1.0

Heating pad system under/overlay, electric, home use

71,349

2.3

Probe, ultrasonic, hand-held, external

31,545

1.0

implant, endosseous, superstructure

62,524

2.0

Spinal internal fixation system, intervertebral body

29,931

0.9

Korea Medical Device Industry ($ million) 5149

5000 4000

■ 2013 ■ 2014 ■ 2015 ■ 2016 ■ 2017

3735 3164

3000

2357

3496 2729

2000 1000 -372

0 -1000

PRODUCTION

EXPORT

Korea at

Arab Health

Korean surgical devices showroom at a glance

he Ministry of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea will be promoting a Korean-style medical equipment integrated simulation at the Korea Pavilion at Arab Health, considered the largest medical exhibition and conference in the Middle East, the current edition of which is being held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from January 28-31 this year. The exhibition will be set up in the form of a virtual Korean hospital operating room, helping promote Korean medical devices and supporting corporate business meetings. Organised in association with the Health Industry Development Institute and the Korea Medical Devices Industrial Cooperative Association, the Integrated Medical Device Simulation Exhibition will display and provide a brief preview of the medical devices manufactured in Korea for use in the operating room, choosing to attract foreign buyers and physicians attending the health exhibition. Individual promotions for doctors, buyers and individual companies is also on the agenda with marketing options being maximised through the distribution of brochures and exhibited products as well as appealing Korean medical devices and by providing promotional products to major buyers attending the show. The overall narration will be held every two hours from 10am onwards to provide information to visitors. Contact: Jung Tae Young (tyhawk@khidi.or.kr)

IMPORT

-331

TRADE DEFICIT

Source: Report on Medical Device Production, Export, & Import Report, MFDS, Each Year

No.

Large Korean companies have recognised select medical devices as promising business avenues, and are making their presence felt in the industry. Samsung has entered the hi-tech imaging systems, SKT and the invitro diagnosis system markets, while Hyundai is involved in robot surgery systems. Large Korean firms are also promising industrial technologies such as the world’s first large-scale U-Health pilot project and development and commercialisation of the world’s smallest SPR biochip analysis system. Diverse niche markets exist in the medical device market since the industry needs variety and small production volumes. Korean medical device companies have penetrated markets with more than 4,500 products, manufactured by over 200 Korean companies and that have been certified by the US FDA. As of 2014, Korean medical devices were being sold in 198 countries worldwide. Most dental materials were imported from other advanced nations due to insufficient basic research; now, however, they are being exported to other countries along with other key products such as stents, artificial joints and more. n