Ears to Hear

In April 2006, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists from America treated North Korean patients. The ENT doctors implanted devices that allowed some to hear for the first time in their lives, which caused quite a public sensation in Pyongyang. Many of the North Koreans, who seemed closed off and unapproachable at first, started to cry and open their hearts when they witnessed patients in the recovery room crying out that they could hear.

Eyes to See

On May of 2007, more doctors entered North Korea after having consulted with North Korea’s National Medical Association. The doctors went to three of North Korea’s most prominent hospitals: the Red Cross Hospital, Pyongyang Maternity Hospital, and Korea Acupuncture Clinic. These physicians performed surgeries that had not been performed in North Korea for over 60 years. They also led seminars and lectures to pass on new medical technologies to the North Korean doctors.

At Red Cross Hospital, more than 1200 North Korean physicians were shown surgical demonstrations and given lectures.

The American doctors made thorough preparations before the surgical demonstration and, during the procedure, were able to answer many questions from their North Korean counterparts, thereby imparting their knowledge to them.

The North Korean physicians presented a written opinion to their government stating that they would like to continually learn and interact with our team of medical staff.