The Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), an arm of South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare, is at the forefront of propelling the nation's healthcare industry forward and extending its reach worldwide through strategic international partnerships.

Dr. Cha Soon Do, President of KHIDI, underscored South Korea's remarkable progress in cancer treatment during a meeting with a visiting UAE media delegation. The visit was facilitated by the Korean Embassy in the UAE in collaboration with KHIDI. Dr. Cha attributed these advancements to sophisticated radiation technologies and the expertise of highly qualified medical professionals.

He explained that the Korean government has adopted a comprehensive national health strategy focused on prevention, early diagnosis, precision treatment, and post-care, while also integrating artificial intelligence and big data analytics to enhance the quality and efficiency of healthcare services.

As a result of these efforts, Korea has reported impressive cancer recovery rates between 2018 and 2022, including 100% for thyroid cancer, 96.4% for prostate cancer, and 94.3% for breast cancer, according to data from the Korean National Cancer Information Centre.

President of KHIDI emphasised the institute's eagerness to strengthen partnerships with the UAE, especially in areas such as knowledge transfer, advanced therapeutic technologies, and the establishment of proton and heavy ion therapy centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

He also stressed the importance of expanding cooperation to include clinical trials, Emiratising of medical technologies, and the development of professional training programmes for healthcare staff in both countries.

The UAE media delegation visited BIO KOREA 2025, the country’s largest health and pharmaceutical trade exhibition, held in Seoul under the theme “Innovation and Collaboration: Building the Future Together”. The three-day event featured over 750 participating companies from around the world, showcasing the latest biotech innovations, particularly those powered by AI and emerging technologies.

The exhibition included cutting-edge health solutions such as anti-aging therapies, AI-powered diagnostics, and next-generation treatments.

The delegation also toured several of Korea’s leading hospitals and specialised medical centres in Seoul and Gijang, focusing on oncology, cosmetic medicine, and comprehensive care.

At Seoul National University Hospital, the delegation was introduced to advanced radiation therapies such as high-precision systems TrueBeam and Elekta. Specialists detailed the use of SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy) to improve treatment outcomes and reduce complications.

The tour continued at Gijang Heavy Ion Particle Therapy Centre, one of Korea’s most advanced cancer facilities, where the team learned about the use of heavy ion therapy in treating complex tumors, based on strict clinical protocols.

At the National Cancer Information Centre, researchers are using AI-enhanced proton and heavy ion therapy to improve diagnostic precision and tailor treatment plans through vast cancer data sets.

The centre utilises Bragg Peak-based proton therapy to target tumors while minimising damage to surrounding healthy tissue, making it an ideal option for treating tumors near vital organs.

At Samsung Medical Centre (SMC), the UAE delegation received expert briefings on the effectiveness of proton therapy compared to conventional radiation techniques, particularly for resistant tumors. Meanwhile, Yonsei University Severance Hospital demonstrated the use of carbon ion therapy, one of the most advanced cancer treatment methods worldwide. The therapy employs carbon particles 12 times heavier than protons, enabling high-precision DNA damage in cancer cells via the Bragg Peak.

Currently used in Japan and Germany, this method treats most cancers (excluding leukemia), is typically outpatient-based, and offers high patient comfort with minimal side effects.

The delegation concluded their tour with a visit to Lee Moon Won Korean Medicine Clinic in Seoul’s Gangnam district. Specialising in dermatology, the clinic showcased non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as laser treatments and AI-personalised skincare solutions.