Mafraq Hospital to have dedicated centre for patients treated in Korea

Abu Dhabi hospital has been designated to care for Emirati patients receiving treatment in Korea.

Mafraq Hospital has been designated to care for Emirati patients receiving treatment in Korea. Lauren Lancaster / The National

SEOUL // An Abu Dhabi hospital has been designated to care for Emirati patients undergoing treatment in South Korea.

From September, Mafraq Hospital will have a dedicated centre that includes two physicians and two nurses, from Korea and the UAE, to help reduce the cost and length of stay for patients abroad.

“We are going to issue a decree on pre- and post-care services with the help of the Health Authority Abu Dhabi,” said Jung Kee-taig, president of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (Khidi) in Seoul.

“The reason we have considered this is because when patients come to Korea, our doctors look at their medical records and usually find out that their lab data might be too old, not updated or they might need X-rays or other tests before coming to Korea.”

For patients undergoing a bone-marrow transplant, a blood match must be found in Korea before the patient arrives.

“So Korean doctors think that inpatients can do such tests before they arrive,” he said. “It will save the cost and reduce the duration of their stay in Korea. That’s our idea and we suggested it to Haad who welcomed the idea.”

At the centre, patients will undergo a general screening.

Staff “will receive the list of pre-tests and they will send results to Korean hospitals to find out whether they need more tests or whether they cannot come to Korea at all because their blood type doesn’t match, for instance”, Mr Jung said. “So as soon as they come to Korea, they will start treatment immediately.”

Patients who require a check-up after treatment will be able to do so in Abu Dhabi. Those who undergo more serious operations, such as kidney transplants, will need to undergo blood tests every two weeks before being discharged.

“Korean doctors have the list of what they need in terms of medicine and tests when they come back as it will be given to the post-care centre in Mafraq,” he said. “The patient will be followed there. It also gives them a friendlier environment.”

Fahad Al Hantoobi, 26, whose mother is ill, said it will mean less travel time for her.

“I hope one day the UAE will have the capability of doing sensitive operations,” said the police officer from Fujairah. “I’m sure one day we’ll get there and they’re improving. It takes time but I hope there will be good doctors there to avoid people travelling long distances. We are happy to get treatment abroad but I think it is difficult for the patient. My mother doesn’t know how to read as she didn’t study and she has to fly 12 hours so it’s exhausting.”

Last week, a team from Khidi visited the chief of Haad to discuss the issue. So far, the organisation has started programming its IT system to link with the Abu Dhabi hospital.

“The UAE is one of three countries, besides the US and China, our president has visited twice since she got elected,” said Kwon Hae-ryong, South Korean ambassador to the UAE. “This shows how serious we are about working with the UAE and our good relations. Through these frequent visits, our cooperation has been expanded into very important areas, including health care.”

He said health care services constituted the most vital part of social welfare.

“This is why both our countries are focusing on this sector,” he said.