Korean Institute for Healthcare Accreditation

Overview

KOIHA is South Korea's national hospital accreditation body, operating under the authority of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. It evaluates hospitals against Korean healthcare quality standards, which are aligned with international accreditation principles.

Founded: 2004 · Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea

What It Covers

KOIHA accreditation covers patient safety, quality management, operational standards, patient rights, and facility management. The evaluation process includes self-assessment, document review, and on-site survey.

Limitations

KOIHA accreditation is institutional, not individual. Many smaller cosmetic surgery clinics in South Korea do not hold KOIHA accreditation because the programme is designed primarily for hospitals. A clinic without KOIHA accreditation is not necessarily operating below standard.

Renewal and Validity

KOIHA accreditation is valid for four years, with the option for renewal through re-assessment.

How to Verify

Verify any claim of Korean Institute for Healthcare Accreditation (KOIHA) accreditation directly at: koiha.kr

If a clinic claims this accreditation but does not appear in the public register, ask for the certificate number and expiry date. Contact the accrediting body directly to confirm.