Malaysia Emerges as ASEAN's Premier Medical Hub

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia can be a regional hub for specialised medical care, with medical tourism keeping prices under control. With Asean having a population of over 600 million, the top 10% alone represents a potential market of 60 million patients, says Datuk Dr Thirunavukarasu Rajoo. ALSO READ: Foreign patients lower costs for locals “This sector can deliver economic gains and clinical innovation, while ensuring that locals still have access to treatment, said the Malaysian Medical Association president. Dr Thirunavukarasu said medical tourists usually seek treatment in private hospitals. As such, he said, this would not burden public sector capacity. However, there could be a risk of more doctors in public hospitals moving to the private sector. “To maintain balance, we need to have strategies to keep doctors in the public sector, by addressing workload, career progression, and compensation gaps. ALSO READ: Johor fast gaining traction as medical tourism destination “In Health Ministry-run teaching hospitals, where private wings operate within publicly funded institutions, safeguards may be necessary. “Clear policies must be in place to ensure that training, research, and service delivery for Malaysians remain uncompromised,” he said. Meanwhile, the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said the increase in medical tourism can actually help hospitals better manage costs. “This ultimately also benefits Malaysian patients, as it keeps costs at more affordable rates,” said Dr Kuljit who is also the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) Board’s independent director. He said foreign patients are not prioritised over local patients in private hospitals as there is sufficient staffing to serve both local and international patients. “Medical tourists make up a relatively small proportion of the total number of patients in private hospitals. “If the demand from medical tourists grows, private hospitals will expand capacity rather than re-allocating resources away from local patients,” he said. In terms of cost, Dr Kuljit said under existing regulations, doctors are allowed to charge up to an additional 25% in professional fees for foreign patients. This allowance remains at the discretion of individual hospitals and doctors. Some choose to apply it, while others do not, he added. Malaysia Inbound Tourism Association Mint Leong also said that foreign patients don’t get any form of priority from locals because they are at private healthcare centres. Instead she said when there is demand, the medical industry can grow further. “Medical tourism is considered a sustainable segment because tourists will keep coming back several times. “Usually the ones we get are from Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and China. But we do also have some patients from the United States and Europe for stem cell and heart treatments, which may be cheaper here,” she said. Leong said Malaysia is considered one the best places for medical tourism in South-East Asia and more arrivals are expected this year.