South Korea's KHIDI Highlights Cancer Treatment Advances And Seeks Closer Ties With UAE Healthcare

The Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), part of South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare, is advancing the country's healthcare sector globally through strategic partnerships. Dr. Cha Soon Do, KHIDI's President, highlighted South Korea's significant achievements in cancer treatment during a meeting with a UAE media delegation. This visit was organised by the Korean Embassy in the UAE alongside KHIDI.

Dr. Cha attributed these advancements to advanced radiation technologies and skilled medical professionals. He explained that the Korean government has implemented a comprehensive health strategy focusing on prevention, early diagnosis, precision treatment, and post-care. This strategy also integrates artificial intelligence and big data analytics to improve healthcare service quality and efficiency.

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Between 2018 and 2022, Korea reported impressive cancer recovery rates: 100% for thyroid cancer, 96.4% for prostate cancer, and 94.3% for breast cancer, according to the Korean National Cancer Information Centre. The KHIDI President expressed eagerness to strengthen partnerships with the UAE in areas like knowledge transfer and advanced therapeutic technologies.

The focus includes establishing proton and heavy ion therapy centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Expanding cooperation to include clinical trials, Emiratising medical technologies, and developing professional training programmes for healthcare staff in both countries is also crucial.

The UAE media delegation attended BIO KOREA 2025, South Korea’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 companies showcasing biotech innovations powered by AI and emerging technologies.

The exhibition presented cutting-edge health solutions such as anti-aging therapies, AI-powered diagnostics, and next-generation treatments. Delegates also visited leading hospitals and specialised medical centres in Seoul and Gijang focusing on oncology, cosmetic medicine, and comprehensive care.

Advanced Radiation Therapies

At Seoul National University Hospital, delegates learned about advanced radiation therapies like TrueBeam and Elekta systems. Specialists explained how SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy) improves treatment outcomes while reducing complications.

The tour continued at Gijang Heavy Ion Particle Therapy Centre, one of Korea’s top cancer facilities. Here, they explored heavy ion therapy used for treating complex tumors based on strict clinical protocols.

AI-Enhanced Cancer Treatments

Researchers at the National Cancer Information Centre use AI-enhanced proton and heavy ion therapy to improve diagnostic precision through vast cancer data sets. Bragg Peak-based proton therapy targets tumors while sparing healthy tissue, ideal for treating tumors near vital organs.

At Samsung Medical Centre (SMC), experts briefed the UAE delegation on proton therapy's effectiveness compared to conventional radiation techniques for resistant tumors. Meanwhile, Yonsei University Severance Hospital demonstrated carbon ion therapy—one of the most advanced global cancer treatments.

Pioneering Carbon Ion Therapy

This method uses carbon particles 12 times heavier than protons to achieve high-precision DNA damage in cancer cells via Bragg Peak. Currently employed in Japan and Germany, it treats most cancers except leukemia as an outpatient procedure offering high patient comfort with minimal side effects.

The delegation concluded their tour at Lee Moon Won Korean Medicine Clinic in Seoul’s Gangnam district. Specialising in dermatology, this clinic showcased non-surgical cosmetic procedures like laser treatments alongside AI-personalised skincare solutions.

With inputs from WAM