MANAMA: Malaysia has been named as the best country in the world for healthcare by the International Living Asia 2015, thanks to the strict regulations enforced by the authorities to govern the sector in line with the highest safety standards. The Global Retirement Index in a report said that healthcare tourism was growing exponentially, especially in Asia.
“The development and promotion of healthcare tourism in Malaysia is under the responsibility of MHTC. This ensures that the industry is well-governed and its members (healthcare providers) adhere strictly to the government’s regulations, safety standards, and legal governance,” Sherene Azli, the new Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) said.
“As one of the key economic areas, the government support received is one of its key strengths in attracting medical tourists to Malaysia. In addition to that, tourists seeking healthcare or medical support are given a seamless end-to-end patient service; as well as various value-added services and incentives.”
“Healthcare in Malaysia is nurtured through active Public-Private Partnerships with both the government and private sectors providing quality healthcare facilities and services to the people. “Through medical tourism we hope to share with all tourists and medical tourists alike what we have enjoyed over the years. What’s more, our healthcare services offer quality care for peace of mind,” Sherene, added.
With top notch medical personnel trained in highly reputable institutions from Malaysia, United Kingdom and Australia, Malaysia strives to offer quality care. To ensure a level playing field, the prices are capped as the costs are determined by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Malaysia Medical Association (MMA).
Post-care services such as rehabilitative facilities are sufficiently made available and are considered to be just as important. Tourists seeking extensive post-care services have peace of mind as we provide visa extensions of up to six months for medical tourists. Governed by laws, regulations and guidelines put into place to ensure high quality care for a seamless end-to-end service, Malaysia’s healthcare industry is poised for the next phase of growth in the healthcare industry.
Plans have been put into place to tap focus markets such as China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Australia, New Zealand, Kazakhstan, Japan, Korea and the Middle East. Malaysia’s recent positioning as a Global Halal Hub gives it a niche and appeal to markets with predominantly Muslim consumers.
“We want medical tourists who come here for treatment to feel at ease and truly experience Malaysian hospitality. The halal factor is a strong concern, and we have the assurance that our Halal standards will soothe worried minds,” Sherene, said.
Malaysia offers halal alternatives for medical treatments; for example, halal hospital food, halal sutures (manufactured locally), products/ drugs that are gelatine and porcine free etc.
Sherene brings with her a wealth of experience ranging from customer relations, marketing to global business development. She sees great potential in the medical tourism as one of the key drivers for the nation’s economy. She is also confident that Malaysia’s healthcare tourism industry will reach greater heights in its quest to offer quality care for patient’s peace of mind with seamless end-to-end service.
Collaborative efforts between government ministries specifically the MOH, the Tourism Ministry, and agencies such as MHTC, the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM), Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), and Malaysian Dental Association (MDA) have resulted in several successful marketing and promotional campaigns to boost the Malaysian medical tourism industry.
Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council is participating in the Food and Hospitality Expo 2015 opened by the Minister of Industry and Commerce Zayed R Al Zayani. MHTC has attracted huge interest from visitors at their stand at 5th Health and Wellness Expo 2015 and people took keen interest in the products and services.