Six local administrations will receive subsidies of 2 billion won ($1.8 million) to boost medical tourism, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Monday.

Gyeonggi Province is to invest in the field of minimally invasive surgery; Jeju in oncology treatment; Daegu in hair implantation and treatment; South Jeolla Province in joint treatment; North Jeolla Province in robot surgery and Daejeon in medical checkups.

The island of Jeju plans to create an eco-friendly cancer treatment complex utilizing its mild climate and clean environment, while some hospitals in Daejeon will create foreigner-only emergency rooms. Minimally invasive surgery has already drawn international medical experts to Gyeonggi and the local authority is now working on standardizing the practice regime, the ministry said as it explained the selection criteria.

The ministry will also support global marketing activities including advertising, exhibition booths, websites, and staff training. It will also subsidize invitations to foreign brokers and participation in international medical events.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)