The Branch Medical Clinic Chinhae is satellite clinic of the U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan. It provides outpatient medical care (adult, pediatric and ob/gyn) to the active duty servicemen and women, their dependents, retirees, civilian contractors and Americans working abroad in Korea.
In-patient care is provided at one of four accredited local Korean hospitals. Routine surgery and referrals for specialty care are done at the 121st Army hospital in Seoul and at Samsung Medical Center in Masan.
Emergency care is provided at Samsung Medical center in Masan or Fatima Hospital in Changwon, about 25 minutes away.
Obstetric emergencies are seen by a local Korean OB/GYN at Samsung Medical Center or Fatima Hospital. Routine pregnancies may deliver at the 121st Army Hospital in Seoul, or a local Korean Hospital. Those who choose to deliver at the Army hospital in Seoul will be transferred to Seoul at 38 weeks gestation. A Stork’s-nest (temporary quarters) are available for expectant mothers transferred to Seoul. Complicated pregnancies may require referral earlier. Single members who become pregnant will generally be transferred from Korea before 20 weeks gestation. This is USFK policy which has precedence of OPNAVINSTR. All routine prenatal care is provided in Chinhae, while complicated OB is referred to the 121st Army Hospital or local Korean OB/GYN.
Medical screening for overseas duty is required for both family and active duty personnel prior to transfer. Members will be denied orders to Korea only if they or their dependent's medical condition requires access to specialists or facilities that are not readily available. There is a full compliment of Medical facilities available similar to most Stateside Naval Installations, even though we are an isolated duty station. However, certain conditions requiring extensive specialist care may be determined to be incompatible with this isolated location.
There is no dentist stationed in Chinhae. A Dentist from the U.S. Army or U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka come at least quarterly. For that reason members and their dependents must have their Dental Status updated prior to departure and are encouraged to have any issues addressed at that time. Emergency visits are seen at Camp Walker, an Army base in Daegu about 1 and a half hours from Chinhae, or Dr. Woo’s Clinic in Chinhae, which is affiliated with the Tri-care dental program.
Please come with two pair of eyeglasses or adequate contact lenses, gas mask inserts (command requirement) and a written prescription for your eyeglasses in case you need to replace them while in Korea. This can be done at low cost on the economy.
