Seoul St. Mary’s hospital is a flagship medical institution of the Catholic Medical Center, which boasts one of the largest medical networks containing eight subsidiary hospitals and seven research centers in Korea. It has 1,320 beds, 43 clinical departments, 756 doctors and 1,700 nurses seeing 6,000 outpatients a day.

The hospital is known for its optical, joint and bone marrow transplant surgeries.

To enhance patient safety, the hospital has acquired ISO 9001 certification on product safety, a first for a medical institution in Korea. In 2010, it gained JCI accreditation ensuring global standards of safety and convenience.

The hospital’s international health care center provides interpretation service in English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian and French. It looked after more than 10,000 foreign patients in 2010.

The hospital has also made extra efforts for Muslim patients, establishing a prayer room on the 21st floor. A VIP room can accommodate more than 10 family members and guardians, the hospital said.

“The hospital has continuously cooperated with the health ministry in developing a market model for the Middle East patients,” said Hwang Tae-kon, president of the hospital.

“We hope patients from Abu Dhabi and other parts of the world will trust our tailored services since most prevailed diseases in the region are chronic diseases such as diabetes or serious diseases such as cancer and disc-spinal disorders,” he said.

For the convenience of the patients as well as their guardians and family members, the hospital is also providing an airport pick-up service, Arabic translation and interpretation and Halal-based foods for Muslim patients.

Coordinators also organize accommodation at the JW Marriott hotel and link to Middle Eastern food at the Palace Hotel, both of which are nearby.

“We have found that there is a strong need among Middle Eastern patients for high-end service in both medical and non-medical fields while they stay in Korea. We are sure that they will get what they want here,” Hwang said.