KIMA Joins the 2026 IHF World Hospital Congress, Showcasing the Excellence of Korean Healthcare to the World

- Joint promotion pavilion with five member institutions; cooperation on medical staff exchange, training and patient referrals discussed with overseas institutions
- A total of 23 member institutions promoted Korean healthcare through brochures, individual booths and hospital visits

The Korea International Medical Association (KIMA) took part in the 49th International Hospital Federation (IHF) World Hospital Congress, held from October 19 to 22 at COEX Magok Convention Center in Seoul, where it promoted the excellence of Korean healthcare and worked to expand its global healthcare cooperation network.

Organized by the IHF and co-hosted by the Korean Hospital Association, the Congress brings together hospital executives and healthcare professionals from around the world to share key industry issues and innovations and to discuss international cooperation in healthcare.

Held under the theme “Global Learning, Local Action for Every Patient,” this year’s Congress served as a forum for sharing international experience and future directions in hospital management, healthcare innovation and patient-centered care.

At the Congress, KIMA set up a joint promotion pavilion to support its member institutions’ international outreach and their exchanges with overseas healthcare stakeholders.

Five member institutions were stationed at the joint pavilion — Lienjang Plastic Surgery Dermatology, Heal Dental Hospital, Ewha Womans University Medical Center, Korea Medical Institute (KMI) and Hanyang University Seoul Hospital — presenting their specialized medical services and international patient care capabilities.

KIMA also displayed promotional materials from eight member institutions — DAEAT Korean Medicine Clinic, DM Dermatology, Ruby Plastic Surgery Clinic, MizMedi Hospital, BSM Eye Clinic, Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Center, AB Plastic Surgery and VIP Plastic Surgery — and introduced them to visitors, giving overseas exposure to members unable to attend in person.

In addition, nine member institutions — Korea University Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Severance Hospital, Ewha Womans University Medical Center, Chaum and JK Plastic Surgery Center — operated individual exhibition booths to present their medical services and expertise.

Notably, KIMA’s integrated pavilion combined individual promotion counters with a shared meeting space, allowing overseas healthcare professionals to explore a wide range of Korean medical services in one place. This raised the international profile of member institutions and created opportunities for exchange and cooperation with overseas healthcare organizations.

Member institutions also served as host sites for the Congress’s official Hospital Visits program. Ten members — Korea University Anam Hospital, National Cancer Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Severance Hospital, Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, Incheon Sejong Hospital and Chaum — welcomed Congress delegates on October 19 and 22, showcasing AI- and digital-driven smart hospital systems, advanced cancer treatment infrastructure such as proton and heavy-ion therapy, and patient-centered care spaces. Most visits were fully booked during pre-registration.

During the Congress, KIMA and its member institutions met with overseas healthcare institutions and stakeholders to discuss practical areas of cooperation, including medical staff exchange and training, international patient referrals, and the advancement of healthcare systems through institutional partnerships.

A KIMA official said, “This Congress gave our member institutions a chance to meet hospital leaders from around the world and identify concrete opportunities for cooperation. We will support them so that the cooperation discussed here leads to real exchanges and results.”

KIMA plans to continue supporting its members’ overseas promotion and global networking, and to pursue a range of initiatives to strengthen the international competitiveness of Korean medical institutions and raise the global profile of Korean healthcare.