Chungnam National University Hospital, which is located in Daejeon, the center of Korea and the center of transportation connected to major cities across the country, began in 1972 first as an educational hospital. As the third largest advanced general hospital in the greater Daejeon and Chungcheong area, the Chungnam National University hospital conducts professional medical treatment through 31 departments, various examination rooms, and specialized centers. It is comprised of 257 professors who are specialized in severe diseases, 3,000 medical staffers, and sundry employees. The hospital strives to provide the best medical treatment with an average of 4,000 outpatients per day, 1,200 inpatients, and 20,000 annual surgeries. In addition, it provides customized medical services for patients visiting from overseas countries with specialized medical equipment enabling them to feel comfortable while receiving medical treatment. Moreover, the entire hospital operates as a U-HOSPITAL, an advanced integrated medical information system with wired and wireless networks, to become a world-class hospital through excellent medical technologies and the best medical care services.

The International Medical Center at Chungnam National University Hospital endeavors to provide services to foreigners from abroad, as well as the foreigners living here in Korea, to ensure that optimal medical care can be provided smoothly, regardless of language, culture, or nationality. In the center, there are two staff members who can communicate in English and Chinese, and they provide 1:1 service to foreign patients who are not fluent in Korean, as well as interpretation services during medical treatment to help foreign patients receive fast and comfortable medical services. There are increasingly many foreign patients with diverse nationalities visiting the hospital, so we support medical services for foreigners who require long-term treatments, urgent outpatient care, various examinations, or hospitalization. Beginning a few years ago, the Head of the International Medical Center and several staff members started visiting China, Russia, and other countries to promote the hospital and attract foreign patients.

The number of foreign patients visiting Chungnam National University Hospital is in the range of 5,000 per year. Since the foreign patients are from different countries, such as China, America, Vietnam, Thailand, and Mongolia, there are significant differences in religions and cultures. As different countries have different health care systems, different medical terms, and different medical systems, we should prepare to meet their diverse needs and a basic understanding of their needs should be prioritized. The International Medical Center presents a customized, individualized, medical care program based on the primary doctor’s notes that patients received in their countries through prior consultation, even before the foreign patients arrive. Our center also established and offers a ‘follow-up management system’ for continuous care of patients who return to their countries after receiving medical treatment at our hospital.

Last year, Chungnam National University Hospital invited three children and teenagers living under poor medical conditions to provide free medical treatment, requisite surgeries, and medical procedures. These patients were diagnosed with congenital heart diseases including ventricular septal defects, patent ductus arteriosus, and interarticular septal defects, but they had not received proper treatment. They finally came to Korea for treatment in December and returned to their country after successful treatment. I felt incredibly rewarded when I heard one of the guardians say, "We truly appreciate Chungnam University National Hospital for giving us this opportunity to receive medical treatment, as well as the people who supported us."

First, we have developed and implemented a customized life management program for foreign patients by forming a multidisciplinary cancer team. We operate a total of nine cancer-related consultation teams, so if a tumor is identified and located during medical treatment, it can be dealt with in ONE-STOP from examination to treatment.
Second, the main center prepares facilities and high-quality medical services that foreign cancer patients can trust and utilize. We have 182 dedicated beds for cancer patients and dedicated spaces for cancer-related, specialized care and examinations.
Third, Chungnam National University Hospital has specialized medical technologies and high medical standards, so patients can receive reliable medical treatment. As a designated advanced general hospital with a low mortality rate for critical patients, it is more than capable of treating foreign patients. We are looking forward to welcoming many more foreign patients soon.