More than 1 million cancer patients residing in non-metropolitan areas have visited the ‘Big Five’ hospitals in Seoul for diagnoses over the past five years. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
GWANGJU, Oct. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – More than 1 million cancer patients residing in non-metropolitan areas have visited the ‘Big Five’ hospitals in Seoul for diagnoses over the past five years.
According to remote diagnosis data from the ‘Big Five’ hospitals – Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul Asan Medical Center, Sinchon Severance Hospital, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, and Samsung Medical Center – received by Kim Young-joo, a Democratic Party lawmaker, the total number of cancer patients from non-metropolitan areas who visited these hospitals over the past five years amounted to 1,034,155.
On a yearly basis, approximately 200,000 cancer patients from outside metropolitan areas visited the ‘Big Five’ hospitals, with 191,711 patients in 2018, 203,078 in 2019, 200,007 in 2020, 214,879 in 2021, and 224,480 in 2022.
“Despite the higher cost burden, cancer patients from outside metropolitan areas visit the ‘Big Five’ hospitals due to a shortage of medical infrastructure in their regions. Efforts should be strengthened to expand medical infrastructure and treatment options in non-metropolitan areas.”
J. S. Shin (js_shin@koreabizwire.com)
