Chung-Ang sets standard with spine and thyroid treatments

This is the fourth in a series of articles on international clinics at major medical centers in Seoul. ― Ed.


Chung-Ang University Medical Center in Heukseok-dong, Seoul, may have not been the first choice for foreigners in the past. But recently, with several renovations and the support of business giant Doosan, the hospital has been treating more foreign patients from Seoul as well as around the world.

In 2010, a total of 5,246 foreign outpatients and another 228 inpatients visited the hospital through its international health care center. 

“The numbers are small, but are showing a big increase every month,” Dr. Park Seung-won, head of the center, said.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government assigned the clinic as an intensive care facility for foreigners along with 13 other clinics in the city. It has also joined hands with Christian communities here to look after foreign workers holding E-9 visas, too, building a steady reputation among expats.

The leading engine is the Spine Center, which Park led with success by diagnosing cervicogenic headache, a common but rarely diagnosed disease.

“Nausea, disgust, constant migraine, lethargy as well as drumming in the ears are the most well known symptoms but not many doctors catch this because you need to press and touch the brain deeply and carefully,” Park said. He said patients from the U.S., China and even some European countries visited the center for treatment, which, in most cases, requires one or two days of hospitalization and medication.

Park said the center is also about to be selected as an Asia-Pacific training center for some orthopedics using spine surgical devices.

In March, the hospital expanded its Thyroid Center with Jo Bo-yean, a preeminent thyroid specialist from Seoul National University, moving his practice to Chung-Ang.

Since Jo, an internationally acclaimed internist, is known for his sophisticated diagnosis method, the center is expected to draw even more people to the international clinic.

Park said foreigners will receive the same quality of service as any local here. “We are confident of our service and find no reason that foreigners should be charged for additional care. They follow the same routine and procedures of Koreans and will be treated equally,” Park said.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)


Chung-Ang University Medical Center International Clinic

- Location: Ground floor of the main building. Visit family practice for pre-diagnosis treatment.

- Contact: Call (82) 2-6299-1140. Service is available in English only.

- How to get there: Exit 3 of Heukseok Station of Subway Line No. 9. Walk 250 meters.

- Foreigners should bring their passports or alien registration cards.

- For more information, visit http://www.caumc.or.kr/eng/index.asp.