Medical Tourism News
Chinese embassy warns of plastic surgery risks in Korea
Cosmetic procedures can carry life-threatening risks and also cause problems during immigration checks
The Chinese embassy in Seoul has warned its citizens about the risks of travelling to South Korea to undergo plastic surgery , citing potential facial changes that could hamper identity checks at immigration points or even death , Reuters reported .
The warning came last January after a Chinese woman died following liposuction surgery at a clinic in Seoul .
“ In recent years , many foreigners have come to South Korea for cosmetic surgery , and some people have been involved in medical disputes and surgical failures and even deaths have occurred ,” the embassy said , according to Reuters .
South Korea is one of the most popular medical tourism destinations in the world , especially for people seeking plastic surgery . About 248,000 foreign nationals sought care in Korea in 2022 , with 15.8 percent checking in at plastic surgery clinics , according to the country ’ s Ministry of Health and Welfare .
The embassy recommends its citizens carefully select intermediaries , clinics , or surgeons with adequate qualifications and sign clear contracts and keep medical records .
“ If there is a major change in ( your ) postoperative appearance , or if you are still in the postoperative recovery stage , you should bring the surgical certificate when you leave the country ,” the embassy added . This will help streamline immigration checks and avoid problems .
Newsweek ’ s best hospitals in the world 2024
New entries make the list , highlighting improvements in healthcare systems around the world
Newsweek has released its annual ranking of the best healthcare providers in the world , with many US and European hospitals dominating top positions but also new facilities outside those regions gaining recognition .
“ This year , the list includes data on 2,400 hospitals across 30 countries . For the first time , Chile and Malaysia have been added to the ranking , which also includes the U . S ., most of Western Europe and Scandinavia , 10 Asian countries , Australia and countries elsewhere in the Americas ,” said Nancy Cooper , Newsweek Global Editor in Chief , in a statement .
The new rankings reflect the improvements in healthcare systems in many countries outside the US and Europe , with Malaysia offering a strong case in point . Two of the top providers in the country , Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur and Sunway Medical Centre , ranked 223rd and 233rd , respectively , providing further proof that the country ’ s investment in the private sector is paying off .
The first Asian hospital on the list is Singapore General Hospital ( SGH ), followed by The University of Tokyo Hospital and Asan Medical Center in South Korea .
The ranking was compiled in partnership with Statista and was based on online surveys of more than 85,000 medical experts and patient satisfaction after discharge . It also took into account hygiene metrics and patient / doctor ratios .
�With so much at stake for individuals and institutions , reliable data is key . The Newsweek- Statista rankings provide crucial insights for patients , families and health care executives looking for profiles of an industry that will generate $ 4.24 trillion worldwide in 2024 ,” Cooper concluded .
28 ISSUE 1 | 2024 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com