Despite the global economic downturn, Malaysia expects to see a 28 percent rise in foreign patients seeking medical treatment in the country.
Among the reasons cited is the establishment of a one-stop medical and tourism online portal that facilitate all needs of overseas-based patients be it consultation, treatment, accommodation or tours.
MalaysiaHealthCare.com (MHC) chief executive officer Suresh Ponnudurai said the country would continue to attract health tourists from countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Bangladesh and Japan and those from the Middle East and Europe.
“Malaysia is one of the region’s centres of medical excellence owing to its quality and affordable facilities and services. About 360,000 health tourists visited Malaysia in 2007, a 20 percent increase from 2006. The use of technology and the internet has positioned the healthcare industry as one of the best in the region.”
Malacca received more than 64,000 medical tourists last year, mostly Indonesians, and was ahead of Penang, Federal Territory, Johor and Selangor. The numbers are expected to increase after the upgraded Batu Berendam Airport opens to bring in tourists from neighbouring countries. Also, a 300-bed private hospital Straits of Melaka Specialist Centre will be developed in Klebang within the next two years.
MHC acts as a channel to network, integrate, facilitate and manage all aspects of health and medical tourism for health tourists and service providers such as hospitals, travel and insurance agents, airlines and hotels. Medical tourists can schedule their treatment and holidays by making online bookings for services.
The country’s Health Ministry will be launching a special website on health tourism next month to disseminate information worldwide on the Malaysia’s medical tourism industry.
Health minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the website will include information on the medical facilities and specialist services available, as well as the payment rates, to make it easy for those interested to seek treatment in Malaysia.
He added the ministry will indirectly help private hospitals in the country attract tourists who wanted quality medical treatment and healthcare.
In line with the government's aim of developing the medical and health-based tourism sector, the ministry held a promotion drive and briefing in Indonesia and Vietnam last year. These promotional efforts will be extended in 2009 to several other countries including Australia.
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