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korea medical travel

korea medical travel

asian countries have become the recent hub of import and export of all sorts of medical goods and surgical commodities. Multiple reasons come into play for this recent change in the international market. Cheaper labor rates, sound understanding of engineering excellence, massive support systems to cater to the ongoing demands of the healthcare industry have all attributed to the overall success of the healthcare industry especially for the Asian countries. Certain countries have been really practical in their approach in winning over the market with competitive prices and more reliable products that have a longer usage as compared to their competition. German companies still have a niche in the market due to their user friendly application graphics and easy to use equipment engineering. China has won the race in regards to the capability of massive manufacturing of items that are not high end but require less time and easily available raw material. Pakistan has been very successful in being the leaders of surgical equipment and Thailand made surgical gloves are used all over the worlds. Statistics conclude that Asian countries represent the fastest developing area for medical technology in the world, with an expected 1520% annual growth rate in that area in the near future.

korea is certainly no exception to the rule. Korea has become one of the leading exporters of an array of medical goods that are now known for their exceptional quality and engineering excellence. Korea is also a very sound economical play ground for international investors and companies that want to use the skills sets of Korea to improve and compete in different and new avenues. Companies like GE, Siemens and Hitachi are already signing off million dollar deals in partnering with local vendors all anticipating a foot in the door. Another reason of Korea becoming the hallmark of import and export is their recent revolutionary step of improving their own health care system. From 1965 to 1990, the Korean economic growth rate was the second highest in the world. With per capita incomes exceeding $6000, the purchasing power of over 40 million Koreans has been and continues to be very strong. Not only are these figures astonishing but place Korea as one of the most advanced medical facilities in the world. The education curriculum of medical students has also seen a rampant improvement. Sophisticated surgeries and advanced procedures are now a common practice in the hospitals of Korea.

the overall health care has expanded as well. The Korean government and private sectors have been successfully building the health care infrastructure over the last ten years. Hospitals have expanded and multitudes of services have been added to the clinics and remote areas. Statistics from the Korean Hospital Association show 650 hospitals with 125,100 beds and 51,425 physicians in 1994. In 1993, $730 million was spent on medical devices in South Korea. Surgical and medical instruments accounted for $205 million, surgical appliances and supplies for $214 million, and x-ray apparatus and tubes for $112 million. This is just some numbers that provide a detailed account of the need and demand in Korea.

there are certain equipment tools and gadgets that have been introduced in Korea only and then shared with the rest of the world. Laser surgery is one prime example. Laser technology was first introduced to South Korea in the 1980 and since then this sector has experienced unprecedented growth, particularly in the specialties of ophthalmology, dermatology, and orthopedics. Due to the highly advanced equipment being imported into Korea, the skill set of the doctors have exponentially improved as well. Korea is now one of the most travelled cities in the world for laser eye surgery. The surgeons of Korea have become international icons. Different surgical and improvements of laser technology is due to the troubleshooting and inputs from the field.

the overall renovation of the health care system in Korea has made the hospitals in almost all the major cities the most advanced and used facilities for international patients. The hospitals have been upgraded and new sites are being built to cater to the national demand for health care excellence as well as establishing Korea as a central hub for surgeries and advanced procedures in Asia.

another promising and advanced division in the Korean health care industry is the diagnostic capabilities of the hospitals and the comprehensive understanding of the medical specialists in this particular field. Diagnostic equipment imports reached $45 million in 1992 and are expected to grow 10% annually. Use of this category of equipment has increased since 1992 when treatment was included in coverage under the national medical insurance system. The healthcare system values comprehensive diagnostic approaches and procedures.

korea also prides itself in having a strong regulatory that tests and validates all medical equipment irrespective of import or export.

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