The Seoul National University Hospital was founded in 1885 and is one of the oldest medical institutions in South Korea. Throughout its existence, the hospital has enjoyed an impeccable reputation and authority.
In 2019, SNUH was ranked for the 19th time as the top multi-speciality hospital in South Korea and is also the 1st hospital in the country with International ISQUA accreditation. SNUH is not only used by Korean residents, but also by foreign patients. Every day the hospital has over 1,700 inpatients and 9,000 outpatients, with a total number of patients exceeding 5,2 million annually. The hospital’s services are used by the president of South Korea.
Seoul University Hospital has (as of 2017) 1,390 doctors, 2,147 nurses, 104 pharmacists, over 683 pieces of medical equipment that are regularly modified and updated.
The Seoul National University Hospital provides a wide range of medical services and is considered a world leader in oncology and pediatric oncohematology, mammology, transplantology, neurosurgery and cardiac surgery.
Seoul University Hospital has a division dedicated to testing and upgrading medical equipment. Therefore, each department of the clinic has the most modern medical equipment at its disposal, from ultrasound, MRI, CT, and PET-CT machines to unique systems for studying brain activity, etc. For example, the clinic conducts magnetoencephalography (MEG), an innovative method that allows high precision detection of the smallest brain abnormalities, such as localizing sources of neural activity for diagnosing epilepsy. The hospital also provides patients with several Check-Up programs. Patients have the opportunity to have their bodies checked for early detection of cancer, heart disease, diabetes and many other conditions in the shortest possible time.
SNUH surgeons have a full range of equipment at their disposal to perform operations of various complexity – instruments for minimally invasive interventions, neurosurgery, the DaVinci surgical robot, etc. Oncology departments are equipped with the latest models of radiosurgical tumour removal devices and radiotherapy equipment.
Seoul National University Hospital has the largest children’s hospital in South Korea. It provides diagnosis and treatment of pediatric diseases in 11 areas in 16 departments. The rooms at SNUH Children’s Hospital are arranged in such a way that every child feels comfortable – walls with funny pictures, brightly coloured furniture, and toys. In addition, the hospital has modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, which allows for procedures with a high level of safety.
At SNUH Children’s Hospital, significant medical developments have taken place thanks to the efforts of doctors and scientists. For example, in 1985 they conducted the first successful in vitro fertilization and the birth of a baby in South Korea. Also in 2011, leading paediatricians and neonatologists in South Korea were able to deliver a premature baby weighing 370 grams.
In addition, specialists at Children’s Hospital excel in oncology and oncohematology, cardiology and cardiac surgery, pediatric neurology, cochlear implantation, pediatric orthopaedics and surgery. For example, oncologists achieve 80-90% of stable remission rate in patients with different types of cancer, cardiac surgeons perform about 400 heart operations a year, plastic surgeons help to correct cleft lip in 280 little patients.
The SNUH Cancer Center consists of 15 departments and 9 multidisciplinary centres. Supported by the National University, the Center conducts numerous cancer research studies and searches for effective treatments. For example, in 2018, the clinic conducted more than 150 clinical trials and studies.
Several doctors are involved in the treatment of each patient and together they select the optimal therapy plan according to modern international protocols. Annually, more than 700 neurosurgical interventions and 600 radiosurgical operations for brain tumours of various complexity, more than 1,200 breast tumours and up to 1,000 operations for stomach cancer are performed at SNUH Oncology Center. Since 1988, more than 1,000 liver transplants have been performed. The success rate of cancer treatment at the clinic is among the highest in the world. When tumours are removed, doctors do everything possible to preserve the organ. For example, neuromonitoring techniques in thyroid tumours can save the patient’s voice in almost 100% of cases.
The clinic’s most recent development is the introduction of Syepse, an interactive platform that contains a database of information on diseases and treatments for cancer. With the help of this system, doctors are able to draw and exchange information between specialists from other hospitals to develop individual therapies and improve the effectiveness of treatment for cancer patients.
The department for the treatment of benign and malignant blood diseases at SNUH Clinic is considered one of the largest in South Korea. Specialists successfully treat leukaemia, multiple myeloma, lymphoma, anaemia, haemophilia. Bone marrow transplantation is also performed here – 1,800 procedures since 1985.
Every year, 3,800 brain and spinal cord surgeries are performed here. In addition, the clinic offers radiosurgical treatment with the latest generation Gamma Knife (about 700 procedures per year). The device has an improved navigation system, so tumour removal is even more accurate with minimal damage to healthy tissue. The risk of complications after the procedure does not exceed 3-7%, and the success rate of treatment reaches 90%. Because tumour removal with Gamma Knife does not require external incisions, patients are allowed to go home after 2 days.
One of the most sought-after areas of the SNUH Clinic is organ transplantation, namely kidney, liver, pancreas, heart, lung, and cornea. The clinic performed its first kidney transplantation in 1969, and liver transplantation in 1988. Since then, the number of such operations has reached 400 per year. But the most important is the effectiveness of transplants. For example, 99% of liver transplant surgeries are successful, and the 5-year survival rate of patients is 82% and higher. The 5-year survival rate of patients after kidney transplantation from a living donor is 92%, which exceeds U.S. rates.
SNUH is an internationally renowned hospital and receives 30,000 patients annually from 80 countries. The Department for Foreigners is open 24 hours a day and provides round-the-clock services – interpreter, escort and support, transfer, accommodation assistance, etc. The clinic cooperates with several large insurance companies.
The management makes sure that each of the patients and visitors are not inconvenienced while in the clinic. There are several cafes and restaurants, stores and retail outlets, banking services, a post office, and a hairdresser’s. Free WiFi is available throughout the hospital.
Patients are accommodated in comfortable single, double, triple rooms and general wards.
Patients have a choice of menus – Korean, European cuisine and other options.
The SNUH Clinic will give you a provisional amount for your medical services at the first visit, depending on your diagnosis. However, the final amount may be higher or lower. Approximate prices for services at the SNUH Clinic:
| Procedure | Cost |
| Consultation with specialists | from $50 |
| PET-CT | from $1,800 |
| Comprehensive leukemia diagnosis | from $6,000 |
| Basic check-up diagnostics | from $465 |
| Cancer check-up diagnostics | from $1,220 |
| Procedure | Cost |
| Gamma Knife | from $19,000 |
| Kidney transplant | from $67,000 |
| Coronary stenting | from $13,500 |
| Chemotherapy | from $2,000 |
| Radiotherapy | from $650 |
