By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Chung-Ang University Medical Center has set in motion plans to aggressively attract foreign patients seeking high-quality surgery at relatively low costs.
New Director General Ha Kwon-ick disclosed details of the drive Wednesday, revealing that bosses are ready to upgrade the quality of the hospital to make it one of the top five medical centers in the country and promote the country's medical expertise worldwide.
``When I was the director of the Eulji Medical Center in Daejeon, I thought hot springs and nearby ginseng fields were perfect for foreign medical tourists. I think Seoul has lots to offer foreigners and the Chung-Ang center has an international health clinic offering a top-notch service,'' he said.
Ha believes the hospital ― a member of the Council for Korea Medicine Overseas Promotion, the body in charge of promoting medical tourism ― can also tap into the potential presented by foreign insurance firms, which are also interested in the Korean market due to costs that are low by international standards.
``Tangible progress will be made this year,'' he said.
Ha took over the Chung-Ang University Foundation last year and unveiled a plan to reorganize the hospital.
A new building with a center specializing in thyroid and stomach cancer and brain and heart diseases is to be built by 2011. Hospital chiefs hope to scout top doctors for the expansion, possibly from abroad.
``It's an extremely competitive world and our 2,000 personnel will exceed global standards to make the hospital globally competitive,'' he said.
Ha has served at eight other general hospitals, including Samsung Medical Center, Eulji Medical Center and Veterans Hospital,
Doosan Group, the owner of Chung-Ang University, has given him full responsibility to run the hospital.