South Korea: Frontrunner in the Race for International Medical Tourism
From the bustle of Seoul to stretches of national parks where feeling alone and connected to nature are one and the same, South Korea provides a lush landscape for exploration. Fully developed and a short hop from Singapore and Thailand, it's often not as well-visited as its neighbours. Anyone with a sense of adventure or a desire for great bargains should consider visiting, particularly those in need of affordable yet fantastic medical care.
Why choose South Korea for travel and treatment?
Smack dab between other sought-after destinations for medical tourism in Asia, South Korea is aggressively courting medical tourists. And for those searching for that ideal balance between reasonable prices and top-notch facilities, this is one country managing to hit that sweet spot. Generous government funding is going not just to advertising everywhere from the USA to the Middle East, but also to the financing of cutting-edge hospitals and training of hundreds of more surgeons. Attracting international talent is now part of the plan, too, meaning that those who choose South Korea for medical procedures will enjoy that ever-fleeting combination of quality and reasonable cost.
Medical Facilities in South Korea
With 97 percent of the population covered by health insurance and extensive reforms designed to increase foreign investment while ensuring everything is up to speed, medical facilities in South Korea are well-funded and up-to-date alike. With costs low but incredibly personalized care in both the private and public sector, it's no wonder that countless medical tourists are opting for the best medical facilities in South Korea over those in their home countries. Even better, medical facilities in South Korea are catering to foreigners, meaning that a procedure that might require a lengthy wait back home will be green-lit swiftly and have out-of-towners taken care of quickly and well. From plastic surgery to more time-consuming procedures, South Korea can accomplish it all.
South Korea's Hospitals and International Standards of Care
With over 50,000 medical tourists a year and extensive, well-funded plans being rolled out by the government, chances are that tourism in South Korea is on the rise. Located a short distance from more expensive and highly popular locales like Thailand and Singapore, South Korea makes the perfect choice for those who need an even better deal financially and the same standard of care. High medical standards are a large part of the experience, with the country's own healthcare system providing world-class service to its citizens and all-new centres specifically focused on care for westerners in Seoul and other cities. At one of the most popular hospitals, Yonsei University Hospital in Seoul, a procedure sometimes costs travellers less than it would in a comparable Latin American locale.
Convalescence in South Korea
While cities may be crowded, they are also quite orderly, and the best hospitals provide an excellent environment for efficient and carefree recovery. Those who are looking to spend some more time in South Korea before heading home might consider exploring any number of day spas in Seoul or jetting off to Jeju, a popular island where relaxation is practically second nature.
South Korea Travel Information
Because of its courting of travellers, South Korea's visa regulations are lax and manageable for tourists from a number of different countries. A completely developed country, South Korea still manages to offer world-class services on a shoestring budget. Travellers can pay most doctors either in their native currency, or in South Korean Won. Those who cannot speak a number of languages will also be relieved that English is widespread and well-understood, both in medical facilities and in regular life in big cities.