Experience of My Child’s Treatment at Asan Medical Center
My name is Botir Norbekov. I am from Uzbekistan, 39 years old. In October 2024, my daughter was born. In December 2024, doctors discovered that she had a brain tumor. We consulted with different countries and finally chose South Korea, because in Germany the professors directly told us that for such a small child, it is better to go to Korea.
On January 27, 2025, we came for a consultation at Asan Medical Center. The doctor confirmed the diagnosis and said that surgery was necessary. The surgery date was scheduled for March 6, 2025.
On February 3, 2025, through the official representative of the clinic in Uzbekistan, I received a preliminary estimate: the cost of the surgery would be 35 million KRW (excluding additional expenses such as ward, food, and tests). I agreed and prepared the money by borrowing from relatives.
We returned to Korea on February 28, my daughter was hospitalized on March 3, and the surgery was performed on March 6, 2025. However, on the very next day, March 7, I was given a bill not for 35 million KRW as promised, but for 143,041,200 KRW – almost four times higher than the original amount.
For my family, this was a huge shock. I asked for explanations, but the staff only said: “We didn’t know, it happened like this. Sorry.” I had no choice but to negotiate for almost 10 days. Finally, the hospital gave me a discount of 35,168,070 KRW. In fact, I paid 65 million KRW, and the remaining 42,873,130 KRW was considered a debt, under the condition that I would pay it back by December 31, 2025. Both sides agreed to this in writing.
On April 4, 2025, we returned to Uzbekistan. However, starting from mid-April and then every 15 days, the hospital began demanding early repayment of the debt, even though the agreed deadline had not yet arrived.
In July 2025, my daughter’s condition suddenly worsened. I contacted Asan Medical Center for consultation, but I was refused: they told me that they would only provide medical advice after I fully paid the debt. For me, this was a terrible shock. Instead of support in a very difficult situation, I faced the fact that for this hospital, money was more important than a child’s life.
Since Asan refused to help, I was forced to find another hospital. In August 2025, we went to Fortis Hospital Gurugram (India), where on August 6 my daughter underwent another surgery. In India, we received full support and treatment, even though we were foreign patients. On September 2, we returned to Uzbekistan, and now my daughter’s condition has stabilized, and treatment continues.
During this time, I also consulted many lawyers to see if they could help me in my situation. Every lawyer refused, telling me: “This is Hyundai. You cannot argue or fight with them. They will always be right, because the court and the government will support them.”
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Conclusion
I am writing this review to warn other parents:
• At Asan Medical Center, the cost of surgery may increase 4 times even after the operation is already done.
• The hospital demands payment at any cost, even if the patient is in a critical condition.
• They may refuse to provide help if you have outstanding debt, even when the child’s condition is worsening.
• The hospital puts money above humanity.
• Lawyers also warned me that Asan, as part of Hyundai Foundation, is fully protected by the government, and ordinary people have no chance against them.
I hope that my experience will help other families be more careful when choosing a hospital.
If you have any questions, here are my contacts:
📞 Telephone: +998 90 806 24 70
Sincerely,
Botir Norbekov