Latest news with #MalaysiaHealthcareTravelCouncil
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Industry revenue soars to new record of RM2.7 billion in 2024
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian health tourism industry recorded a new high in 2024, with revenue reaching RM2.72 billion, surpassing its target for the year by 9%, said the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC). It said the industry achieved a record volume after serving over 1.6 million foreign patients in private healthcare facilities nationwide last year, an 18% year-on-year increase. MHTC is an agency under the Health Ministry entrusted with positioning and promoting Malaysia as a healthcare travel destination. It said it has 82 healthcare providers registered under its membership programme, including 58 private hospitals, 20 ambulatory care centres and four dental clinics. 'This programme comprises elite members and ordinary members, each reflecting a commitment to world-class standards and patient trust. All members undergo a rigorous evaluation process conducted by a committee of experts in healthcare and regulatory compliance. 'Our elite members represent the most prestigious private healthcare institutions in the country. These hospitals are internationally recognised and hold accreditations from respected global bodies, such as the Joint Commission International, Malaysian Society for Quality in Health, Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, Temos International and the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee. 'These institutions demonstrate world-class clinical excellence, patient safety and healthcare delivery. 'Our ordinary members are selected through a stringent evaluation process by a selection committee comprising government and private sector representatives. These hospitals uphold Malaysia's high standards of medical care and quality service, and hold at least one international or national accreditation.' The council highlighted the impact that health tourism has on the country's economy as it not only drives revenue, but also creates employment opportunities and stimulates growth in ancillary sectors, such as hospitality, transportation and retail. 'MHTC is targeting RM12 billion in healthcare travel revenue by 2030 through our integrated healthcare strategy, which combines modern medicine, traditional and complementary medicine, wellness and rejuvenation, and anti-ageing. 'Integrated Healthcare will provide holistic care for patients and synergise the value chain within the industry. This drives exponential value growth, including revenue and profit to the private healthcare sector and government, and will set Malaysia at the crest of healthcare tourism in the world.' The council said the top medical disciplines sought by travellers in 2024 included gastroenterology, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedic surgery, oncology, ear, nose and throat, and cardiology. 'Malaysia's top five health tourism markets are Indonesia, China, India, Singapore and the United Kingdom,' it said.
The Sun
30-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia health tourism revenue hits RM2.72 billion in 2024
PETALING JAYA: The Malaysian health tourism industry recorded a new high in 2024, with revenue reaching RM2.72 billion, surpassing its target for the year by 9%, said the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC). It said the industry achieved a record volume after serving over 1.6 million foreign patients in private healthcare facilities nationwide last year, an 18% year-on-year increase. MHTC is an agency under the Health Ministry entrusted with positioning and promoting Malaysia as a healthcare travel destination. It said it has 82 healthcare providers registered under its membership programme, including 58 private hospitals, 20 ambulatory care centres and four dental clinics. 'This programme comprises elite members and ordinary members, each reflecting a commitment to world-class standards and patient trust. All members undergo a rigorous evaluation process conducted by a committee of experts in healthcare and regulatory compliance. 'Our elite members represent the most prestigious private healthcare institutions in the country. These hospitals are internationally recognised and hold accreditations from respected global bodies, such as the Joint Commission International, Malaysian Society for Quality in Health, Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, Temos International and the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee. 'These institutions demonstrate world-class clinical excellence, patient safety and healthcare delivery. 'Our ordinary members are selected through a stringent evaluation process by a selection committee comprising government and private sector representatives. These hospitals uphold Malaysia's high standards of medical care and quality service, and hold at least one international or national accreditation.' The council highlighted the impact that health tourism has on the country's economy as it not only drives revenue, but also creates employment opportunities and stimulates growth in ancillary sectors, such as hospitality, transportation and retail. 'MHTC is targeting RM12 billion in healthcare travel revenue by 2030 through our integrated healthcare strategy, which combines modern medicine, traditional and complementary medicine, wellness and rejuvenation, and anti-ageing. 'Integrated Healthcare will provide holistic care for patients and synergise the value chain within the industry. This drives exponential value growth, including revenue and profit to the private healthcare sector and government, and will set Malaysia at the crest of healthcare tourism in the world.' The council said the top medical disciplines sought by travellers in 2024 included gastroenterology, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedic surgery, oncology, ear, nose and throat, and cardiology. 'Malaysia's top five health tourism markets are Indonesia, China, India, Singapore and the United Kingdom,' it said.
Barnama
30-05-2025
- Health
- Barnama
IHH Healthcare Malaysia Reaffirms Its Commitment To Indonesians With Advanced, Trusted Healthcare Options
JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 30 (Bernama) -- IHH Healthcare Malaysia proudly marks its third consecutive year organising the exclusive Malaysia Healthcare Expo (MHX) in Indonesia, reaffirming its commitment to delivering world-class, patient-centred care to the Indonesian community. In partnership with the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), MHX Jakarta 2025 will be held from 8 to 11 May at Terra Atrium, Central Park Mall, further solidifying Malaysia's position as a leading destination for accessible and high-quality medical tourism. "Our presence at the Malaysia Healthcare Expo 2025 is a testament to IHH Healthcare Malaysia's strong commitment to the health and well-being of the Indonesian community. With over three decades of trust and more than 200,000 Indonesian patients cared for each year, we remain focused on delivering world-class care, personalised support and accessible treatment options. In fact, one in every three Indonesian patients receiving treatment in Malaysia chooses an IHH hospital. Every patient that comes to us reflects our continued dedication to being a trusted healthcare partner at every stage of their healthcare journey," said Sipika Singh, Chief Commercial Officer of IHH Healthcare Malaysia and Deputy CEO of Gleneagles Hospital Johor.
The Star
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Upping Malaysia's medical tourism game
Medical tourism is big business in this region. The industry has experienced significant growth in the past few decades, and thanks to advancements in transportation, communication and medical technology, medical tourism is now more accessible to a broader range of people. To remain competitive, countries have to invest in the development of their healthcare infrastructure, marketing strategies and workforce. DKSH Healthcare recently published a White Paper titled South-East Asia as a Growth Accelerator for Global Healthcare Firms that delves into the current state of healthcare in South-East Asia. Among the findings: Vietnam is making a push to become a medical tourism hub and is collaborating with more than 50 establishments, including hospitals, spas and accommodation providers, to promote and market the sector. Indonesia is making the island of Batam a special economic zone to ease medical tourism processes and attract more international patients. Thailand heads the list for cosmetic procedures and preventive wellness programmes, especially sought after by the wealthy. Additionally, Thailand has started specialising in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatments, which has attracted many patients from mainland China, due to the latter country's restrictions on IVF. Singapore is an emerging market when it comes to innovative longevity clinics. Despite its higher costs compared to neighbouring countries, this island nation lures patients with its reputation for safety, cleanliness and cutting-edge medical facilities. Medical tourists are returning to this region post-Covid-19, but with many more chronic illnesses and much sicker. A Muslim-friendly destination Each country in South-East Asia is focusing on its own niche areas, like how Thailand leads the region when it comes to cosmetic surgery and wellness programmes. — 123rf In most, if not all, South-East Asian countries, the paper also found numerous challenges facing patient access to life-saving technologies. This includes a shortage of healthcare professionals, inadequate health insurance, a shortage of hospital beds (including key medical equipment), underdeveloped health information technology systems, and of course, gaps in areas such as regulatory regimes. Locally, our public sector has been proactive in promoting medical tourism with agencies such as the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) established for the sole purpose of managing medical tourism. But where does Malaysia stand in this industry, aside from providing affordable and quality treatment? 'Malaysia has positioned itself as a Muslim-friendly medical tourism hub and this has made it the default choice for medical tourists from Islamic regions such as the Middle East, neighbouring Indonesia and countries beyond this reach, as seen in their recent outreach efforts in West African countries. 'These tourists come for a variety of treatments, including oncology, cardiology, neurology and more. 'These treatments are aligned with Malaysia's establishing of the first halal pharmaceutical standard guidelines, which makes the nation even more attractive to Muslim medical tourists,' says DKSH Healthcare's business unit global head Bijay Singh. We've made significant inroads, especially in areas like cardiology – in 2020, the National Heart Institute (better known by its Bahasa Melayu acronym IJN) was recognised as the first hospital outside the United States to perform an implant of the world's smallest pacemaker. IJN has also won the Cardiology Service Provider of the Year in Asia-Pacific – an award given by the Global Health and Travel Awards – for the past nine years. Tough competition Malaysia's main competitors are our three closest neighbours: Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand. 'While there is rising competition from other players in South-East Asia, the other nations target distinctly different demographics. 'Singapore skews towards affluent individuals, or those requiring complex surgeries that need specialised staff or equipment. 'Markets such as Thailand and Vietnam actively target East Asian demographics, while also promoting beauty and wellness. 'However, there are still some overlaps, such as in the areas of cosmetic surgery, dental, cardiology and orthopaedics, as well as women's health. 'So, it is vital for Malaysia to stay competitive both in terms of healthcare affordability and offerings,' Bijay says. Certain procedures in Malaysia (e.g. coronary bypass) are around 40-70% cheaper compared to our competitors. When it comes to profiling medical tourists, Bijay says there is no typical standardised type, due to the variety of factors in play. 'This would be built on their sought-after healthcare treatment and socioeconomic background. 'Medical tourists with differing backgrounds will have equally differing preferences when it comes to their country of choice. 'Malaysia is attractive to the Muslim majority countries due to common-ground understanding of religious sensitivities. 'Successful medical tourism players in the region have reached great heights due to a combination of factors from government action to specialising in unique or niche medical treatments,' he notes. For example, Thailand built its foundation on cosmetic surgeries and wellness initiatives like weight-loss and fitness retreats. Furthermore, there has been an integration of healthcare and hospitality, bringing more overall value to patients from an end-to-end perspective. This has extended to how some areas in medical tourism are marketed, with the holiday aspect of the experience emphasised as much as the medical treatment. Increasing revenue IJN is the first hospital outside the US to perform an implant of the world's smallest pacemaker, marking Malaysia's accomplishments in the field of cardiology. — Filepic In 2024, Malaysia's healthcare travel industry recorded 584,468 medical tourist arrivals in the first half of the year, with Indonesia as the highest contributor. According to investment research company BIMB Research, there is a growing demand in Malaysia for elective surgeries. They note that improved adoption of healthcare digitalisation will help spur this sector's growth. Malaysia's medical tourism revenue is expected to double this year. However, BIMB Research believes that the sector faces risks of higher-than-expected raw material costs, which could impact earnings for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical players, as well as unfavourable regulations related to the implementation of the diagnosis-related group (DRG) payment system. The DRG payment system is a method whereby hospitals receive a fixed payment for each patient case, based on the patient's diagnosis and the care provided, rather than being reimbursed for the actual cost of treatment. To stay competitive and secure its place among its peers, Bijay says Malaysia has to focus on striking a balance while maintaining market leadership in the Muslim patient ecosystem. 'Malaysia should continue to focus on the Muslim tourist demographic, especially considering the specialised needs that must be met for these tourists. 'This covers halal requirements for both food and for medications. 'A notable example of this would be some types of insulin, which are not permitted amongst Muslims due to them being porcine-based,' he says, adding that Malaysia's advantage is that we acquire and provide essential medications that are halal.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Premium care at ‘fraction of the cost': Why medical tourists are flocking to Malaysia for their nips and cuts
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 17 — Malaysia's medical tourism industry generated RM2.13 billion in revenue last year, surpassing the RM1.4 billion projected by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) in 2021. Why did 1.26 million international patients seek medical care in Malaysia? Besides the good doctors and internationally accredited and award-winning hospitals, private healthcare in Malaysia is comparatively more affordable than some other countries. 'Patients can access premium medical care at a fraction of the cost compared to other leading medical tourism destinations, including the United States, Europe, and neighbouring Asian countries,' MHTC said. Treatments in gastroenterology, obstetrics, and gynaecology were the most sought-after by healthcare travellers. In-vitro fertilisation treatment costs from RM13,000 to RM17,000 per session in Malaysia, but would runs around US$15,000 to US$20,000 (RM67,000 to RM89,000) in the United States, and about US$6,000 to US$12,000 in Thailand, according to RHB Bank's 22024 Medical Tourism in Asean report. 'This cost-effectiveness is further ensured by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, which strictly regulates healthcare treatment rates, maintaining high standards of care while keeping costs significantly lower than many other countries in the region,' MHTC said. Additionally, based on various sources, a liver transplant in Malaysia ranged between US$50,000 and US$70,000, or half what it took to undergo the procedure in Indonesia and Singapore. However, the same could be performed for between US$45,000 and US$60,000 in Thailand. Aside from cost, accessibility of medical care in Malaysia is also a major draw. With an abundance of ferries and flights crossing the strait, Malaysia became a top destination for Indonesian medical tourists, accounting for 66 per cent of all travellers seeking healthcare treatments in Malaysia, according to data supplied by MHTC. Notably, the number of flights from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur was three times more than the number of flights from Jakarta to Bangkok, as per data compiled by RHB Bank from January 6 to 12, this year. Some hospitals also go as far as providing transportation arrangements for the patient to the hospital. After Indonesians, Chinese and Indian nationals remained the second and third largest groups of medical tourists in Malaysia, according to the MHTC's Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint 2021-2025. MHTC cited Malaysia's diversity and familiarity as a reason why Malaysia was a popular healthcare tourist destination. Many Malaysian hospitals also hold prestigious accreditations from bodies such as the Joint Commission International (JCI) and the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH), further cementing the country's reputation as a trusted medical hub. Additionally, MHTC also provides ample support for healthcare travellers from pre-arrival consultations to post-treatment follow-ups across its network of over 200 hospitals nationwide.
