“It is impossible to find a medical field in which Severance does not meet world-class standards.”
Dr John A. Linton, Director of the International Health Centre at Severance Hospital
South Korea is a new word in modern medicine. Even the respected American publication New York Times writes that Korean hospitals employ excellent doctors who serve as visiting professors at the best American medical institutions. Severance Hospital is a shining representative of what Korean medicine is capable of today. The medical centre has already expanded far beyond East Asia and is actively contributing to the development of global medicine.
Severance Hospital is the first Western-style clinic in Korea and a leading world-class multidisciplinary medical facility. The clinic is located in Seoul, South Korea. Today it is a centre of advanced medical technologies, innovations and the experience of acknowledged specialists. The history of the clinic goes back more than 139 years.
Severance Hospital in Seoul is also called the ‘presidential’ clinic. Famous people not only from South Korea but also from abroad are treated here. For example, former Korean President Kim Dae-jung was treated at Gangnam Severance.
For 130 years, Severance Hospital has conducted various research activities and initiated special training programmes. All of this has formed the basis for the development of innovative and effective medical solutions.
Today, Severance is not just a hospital, but an entire healthcare system affiliated with Yonsei University. This means that the hospital has an excellent base for further pioneering medical research and will continue to utilise it for the benefit of patients. Moreover, work has been done for many years to improve the patient’s stay at the hospital and, in general, the medical service.
In 2005, for example, a modern building with a capacity of 1,000 beds was built at Severance Hospital. The hospital also purchased the latest, best-in-Asia, new-generation medical equipment and Ubiquitous software (enabling medical information to be accessed from any device at any time).
More than 10,000 people visit Severance Hospital every day. Many of Korea’s leading politicians and leaders are among its patients, which is why Severance is also known as the ‘Hospital of Presidents’.
Former President Kim Dae Jung entrusted his health only to this clinic. In addition, many foreign officials, such as former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, are treated at the hospital, and the reviews of Severance Hospital speak for themselves.
In 2007, Severance was the first hospital in Korea to be accredited by Joint Commission International, a certification that the best hospitals in the world dream of receiving. This accreditation once again confirmed the compliance with the world standards not only of medical equipment, treatment methods, and professionalism of doctors, but also the process of patient’s stay in the clinic, as well as the service. In 2013, the clinic was re-accredited with an average score of 98 in 1,294 sectors and 16 medical categories. In addition, in 2010, Severance received JCI certification for the Primary Stroke Therapy Programme.
Severance is a network of closely linked medical centres and hospitals providing comprehensive and advanced medical care.
The structure includes:
Yonsei University Medical System:
Gangnam Severance:
Yongin Severance:
The top areas of the Severance Clinic are oncology, rehabilitation, heart and vascular diseases, eye and ENT diseases, and paediatrics.
More than 50,000 foreign patients a year choose Severance for diagnosis and treatment. The largest number of patients come to the clinic from the USA, Central and Eastern Europe, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and the UAE. There is an International Centre for the Treatment of Foreign Patients. Thousands of grateful reviews of the Severance Seoul Clinic are proof of the high quality of service for patients who come from abroad.
The clinic provides a wide range of services for international patients, ensuring maximum comfort and convenience for each visitor. Interpreter services are available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Arabic and Mongolian. Coordinator support is available 24/7. Patients can request an estimate of the cost of treatment and receive a reply within 24 hours. The clinic also works with international insurance companies, providing a direct billing service. Individualised meals are offered for international patients, including European, Russian and halal menus. Additionally, concierge services, shuttle service and access to an exclusive lounge are available..
Severance also offers a variety of additional services that make the stay of patients and visitors even more comfortable. The clinics have food courts with a variety of cuisines (Korean, Japanese, Chinese, etc.), snack bars and cafes. Dedicated lounge areas create a cosy atmosphere through ecological design and vegetation. Banking services and ATMs, playrooms for children, pharmacy, optician, medical device shop, free WiFi, etc. are available at the hospital.
In 2020, the journal Nature, which is among the world’s most respected scientific publications, ranked Severance Hospital as the No. 1 in Korea for research achievements in the field of oncology.
There are a total of 19 cancer centres in Severance, including the Oncology Research Centre and the Oncology Clinic at Gangnam Severance Hospital. The latter was opened in 2013 at Yeongse University. The hospital was equipped with new technological equipment and the best specialists from different fields were invited to provide multidisciplinary medical care.
The clinic building has 15 ground floors and 6 underground floors, where 476 beds are available. The clinic has 18 operating theatres as well as a chemotherapy department with a total capacity of 100 beds. In order not to miss any important moment in the treatment process, the new clinic has 15 specialised departments. Among the specialised cancer diseases of the clinic are the major cancers that are most common among Korean and European residents.
For advanced diagnostics, the Severance Sinchon and Severance Gangnam clinics have PET and PET-CT (PET tomography to diagnose anomalies and CT tomography to obtain information about the anatomical structure of the body, thus increasing the accuracy of diagnosis).
The main principle of our work with the patient is a fully personalised approach. Each patient’s case is considered individually, taking into account all peculiarities, and the selected treatment complies with the standards of international medicine while being unique and most effective for a particular person.
Modern robotic surgery is available at Severance Clinic in Seoul. Directed Tomotherapy, a targeted radiation therapy for cancer with the ability to rotate the body 360 degrees, is also available. This is a uniquely effective method for the treatment of head and neck cancer. In addition, the radiotherapy and radiosurgery centre provides treatment with a proton machine, and ultramodern radiation exposure equipment. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of possible complications and increase the destructive effect on the tumour. The following units are available at the Severance Cancer Centre:
| CyberKnife |
| Medical consultation |
| Visualisation diagnostics |
| Individualised treatment plan |
| Painless tumour destruction |
Severance Clinic provides multidisciplinary treatment for gastric cancer. A comprehensive therapeutic plan is developed for each patient with the participation of surgeons, gastroenterologists, oncologists and other specialists. The introduction of modern methods has made it possible to reduce the duration of surgeries by half and reduce the period of hospitalisation to 5-7 days. Doctors no longer use outdated surgical instruments such as scalpels, nasogastric tubes and drainage systems that can cause pain, nausea and vomiting after surgery. These changes have greatly improved patient comfort and treatment efficiency. Each year, more than 50 doctors from around the world come to Severance to train in advanced gastric cancer treatment.
Doctors at Severance Clinic are setting records in the treatment of gastric cancer with outstanding results. The institution has record-breaking figures: post-operative mortality is only 0,2%, complication rate is 7%, and overall survival of patients for at least 5 years reaches 77,4%. At the same time, the 5-year survival rate for stage 1 gastric cancer in the UK is 65% (Cancer Research UK), in Canada it is 51%-71% (Canadian Cancer Society), and in the USA it is 75% (American Cancer Society).
Oncohaematology is also at a high level at Severance. Modern methods of treatment for cancer patients are successfully applied here, along with the latest generation of high-tech equipment. Some of the achievements of the haematology department of Severance Hospital Seoul:
| Bone Marrow Transplantation |
| Donor search |
| Bone marrow biopsy |
| Bone marrow transplantation surgery |
| 3-month in-patient rehabilitation |
Severance Hospital is the centre of robotic surgery in Asia. The first Da Vinci Robot was introduced at the hospital in 2005, which means the specialists have 19 years of experience with the device. As of 2023, Severance surgeons have performed more than 40,000 operations using the Da Vinci robot. In addition, with the support of the American Institute of Surgery, a Surgical Robotics Training Centre has been established at Severance Hospital. Thus, in addition to its specialists, doctors from the USA and Asian countries (more than 600 doctors from 10 universities worldwide) are trained at Severance.
Surgeons have achieved impressive results in robotic surgery, especially in the treatment of prostate cancer. About 96% of patients make a full recovery after surgery. Prostate tumour surgeries account for 26% of all robotic procedures performed at the clinic, with more than 10,100 between 2005 and 2023.
| Da Vinci Robotic Surgery |
| Consultation with a surgeon |
| Preoperative diagnosis |
| Robotic intervention |
| Rehabilitation |
Severance Hospital has gone further in the use of robotic technology. In addition to using the Da Vinci Robot in prostate surgeries, which are performed all over the world, Severance doctors have started to use automated technologies also in the treatment of thyroid cancer, gastrointestinal organs, head and neck surgery, thoracic surgery, open heart surgery, cardiovascular surgery, gynaecology, as well as diseases in the field of otorhinolaryngology.
The operation to remove a cancerous thyroid tumour with Dr Severance’s da Vinci robot is performed through the axilla. As a result, patients have no visible scar on the neck. More than 3,000 such operations are performed per year.
Statistics of Robotic Surgery in Severance:
The structure of the department includes 9 specialised centres. The complication rate after surgery for structural, vascular and valve defects of the heart is only 0,6%.
Cardiac and vascular surgery at Severance Hospital continues to set high standards in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Approximately 2,000 operations for coronary vascular diseases are performed here per year. In operations for the treatment of combined heart defects, the mortality rate during hospitalisation is only 2,3%, which is significantly lower than in the USA (5,8%). The complication rate for percutaneous aortic valve replacement (TAVI) is only 1% and 0,6% for the treatment of structural, vascular and valve anomalies. Thanks to advanced technologies, almost 100% of pacemaker, defibrillator and resynchroniser transplants are successful.
Today, Severance continues to develop and apply innovative technologies. Cardiac surgeons have developed and implemented a unique endoprosthesis that can be implanted into curved blood vessels. This technology is now used worldwide. Severance doctors were also the first in the world to introduce a cardiovascular CT scanner, and the first in Korea to successfully perform robot-assisted heart surgery.
The following modern technologies are also available at the hospital: coronary CT, internal ultrasound vascular diagnosis, coherent optical tomography, etc.
The Department of Neurosurgery at Severance Hospital performs more than 2,500 brain surgeries per year. The Department of Neurosurgery at Severance Hospital in Seoul is considered the best centre in Korea for deep brain stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, the treatment of epilepsy (over 200 surgeries annually), and the surgical treatment of benign and malignant brain and spinal cord tumours. The hospital is also internationally recognised for the surgical treatment of pituitary tumours. The authority of the hospital in the field of neurosurgery is evidenced by the fact that specialists from all over the world come here to learn new technologies.
At Severance there is an intraoperative MRI (real-time monitoring of the tumour removal process), fluorescence tumour diagnosis (a special substance stains the tumour tissue, which allows doctors to clearly see its boundaries), neuronavigation and Gamma Knife.
Severance Clinic specialises in the treatment of spinal disorders using modern methods and technologies. Among the approaches used are minimally invasive surgeries that preserve the surrounding tissues intact, robotic surgery to treat complex spinal pathologies and stem cell therapy to recover from spinal cord injuries.
In 2003, Severance spinal surgeons became the first in Asia to perform arthroscopic cervical disc replacement. Special attention is given to the treatment of spinal cord tumours and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, a severe condition often seen in Asian countries.
Severance Hospital’s Ophthalmology Clinic was the first ophthalmology centre in Korea. The clinic has been operating for more than 100 years and remains a leader in ophthalmology among Korean medical centres. Today more than 30 thousand patients come here annually for treatment. The clinic has a laboratory for corneal dystrophy, where unique methods of therapy are developed. The structure of the clinic also includes a unique Retina Centre, which deals with retina problems, especially in diabetic patients.
The structure includes 8 specialised ophthalmology clinics that work in close cooperation with other departments. In 2019, the first university ophthalmological hospital in Korea was opened.
Treatment for adults and children is provided here. The Severance Clinic is also actively developing international co-operation, having concluded agreements with four Wills Eye Hospitals in the USA.
Severance Hospital offers various check-up packages that include comprehensive check-ups to assess your health. Here is a brief overview of the packages available:
Basic Health Screening & Exams
Premium Package (in addition to all elements the Basic Health package)
Noblesse Platinum Package
Adolescents Health Screening
Additional examinations
Pelvic Organs
Lung
Brain
Endocrine System
Bone Health
Breast Health
Body
Allergy Testing
| Book a check-up |
| A Check-up at Severance Clinic includes a consultation with a doctor, tests and various diagnostic procedures. Once all tests are completed, patients can receive their results and doctor’s recommendations immediately or via email. The cost of check-ups varies depending on the package chosen, as well as the type and number of procedures. The clinic offers patients the opportunity to choose a specific examination plan or to adapt the diagnostic methods to their individual needs and health conditions. To find out more about Check Up at Severance Clinic and to book an appointment with a doctor, please contact your MediGlobus coordinator. Click on the button below to receive a free consultation. |
The cost of diagnosis and treatment at Severance Clinic is 30% lower than some clinics in Europe (particularly Germany, Spain, Italy, and Switzerland). The approximate price of medical procedures at this hospital is:
| Procedure | Cost |
| Specialist consultation | from $70 |
| Ultrasound of pelvic organs | from $100 |
| Cardiac ultrasound | from $200 |
| CT (computer tomography) | from $265 |
| Prostate ultrasound | from $285 |
| Colonoscopy | from $150 |
| Brain MRI | from $1,300 |
| Procedure | Cost |
| PET-CT | from $1,500 |
| Radiotherapy | from $700 per session |
| Laparoscopic ovariectomy | from $8,826 |
| Lumpectomy | from $10,500 |
| Gamma-Knife | from $18,000 |
| Radical Bladder Resection | from $25,000 |
| Mastectomy + reconstructive surgery | from $44,100 |
Clinic: Severance
Procedure: Liver cancer treatment
Patient’s age: 50 years old
Patient from: Mykolayiv
Serhiy: "I was treated at Severance Clinic when I was diagnosed with liver cancer. I found it on my doctor’s advice and when I searched for it, I came across the MediGlobus company page. I was interested in the fact that the company organises treatment free of charge, i.e. I only pay for the procedures at the clinic. In the end, the coordinator arranged the treatment and told me about all the nuances. On arrival in Seoul, I was organised a transfer and was given an interpreter. In two days I was examined and after gathering the opinions of doctors (oncologist, surgeon, radiologist) I was appointed a surgery and a course of chemotherapy. A week after the operation I flew home, and the chemotherapy course was carried out at home, according to the recommendations of Korean doctors. I would like to say thank you to the MediGlobus team and all the staff at Severance Clinic for helping me not to fall into despair, but to fight for my health."
Clinic: Severance
Procedure: Treatment of prostate cancer
Patient’s age: -
Patient from: -
“Had prostate surgery in 2022. From exam to surgery everything went smoothly and according to plan. A few months after the surgery, my physical condition improved significantly. I was able to do my household chores and participate in various activities without any problems. On the doctor’s recommendation, I had regular PSA tests to monitor my condition. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Khan for the successful surgery. Repeated test results showed no abnormalities. One year after the surgery, the doctor said that I no longer needed to take medication. In 2024, I had another check-up and it showed no cancer cells and no metastases! I would like to thank the professor and the nurses for their hard and excellent work.”
