A 28-year-old man from Abu Dhabi arrived in Seoul to be treated for a vocal cords disorder, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Thursday.

He is the first patient referred and transferred to a Korean medical institution under a pact signed by the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi and four Korean hospitals on patient referrals and transfers last month.

According to the ministry, the patient arrived on Wednesday night, and received health checkups and examinations at the Seoul National University Hospital on Thursday. He damaged his vocal cords through the long-term use of a respirator. Dr. Kwon Taek-kyoon will take over his treatment.

The HAAD last week approved the SNUH’s treatment plan for the patient. He will stay at the hospital till Friday for prior examinations, and a further treatment schedule will be drawn up later, the ministry said.

The HAAD is reportedly considering referring its second patient to Asan Medical Center for kidney transplant surgery. The hospital will conduct an examination to assess the feasibility of the operation.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)