TRAVEL MALAYSIA - HEALTH TOURISM IN MALAYSIA

HEALTH TOURISM IN MALAYSIA

This week, we are shocked by three natural disasters. Big earthquake in Indonesia, tsunami in Samoa, and Big Flood in Philippine and its all happened in Malaysia neighbor countries. Malaysia is located outside of Ring of Fire. We may not have an earthquake, but we still can ‘feel’ the shake. We may not have a tsunami, but we still can get the effect. 26 December 2004, when a big earthquake happened in Indonesia, it cause a tsunami and Malaysia is one of the country affected from that Mother Nature angry.

So, Is Malaysia safe to travel? Is Malaysia ready for a natural disaster? Is Malaysia clear from any H1N1 issues?

Does Natural Disaster affected stock market?-->onlinestockmarket.co.cc

To answer those questions we need look at Malaysia Medical Tourism Sector.
Malaysia is fast becoming a strong competitor in the global health and medical tourism sector.
Given the potential of health tourism as a foreign exchange earner, the government has taken
a series of proactive measures to enhance Malaysia as a preferred health tourism destination.

Health tourism in Malaysia consists of two main categories which are
medical tourism and wellness programme. Patients can opt for medical
treatments in one of our internationally recognised hospitals, and stay on during the convalescence or recovery period. Or they can come for a holiday
by exploring the various forms of wellness programmes that are available in
Malaysia.

Competitive medical fees and modern medical facilities are two vital
factors that make Malaysia a popular destination among health tourists.
Patients can undergo treatment and recuperate in any part of the country for much less than what it would cost them for a treatment in other countries. For example, a normal cardiac bypass surgery (CABG) in Malaysia would cost around US$9,000.

Malaysia offers a wide choice of state-of-the-art private medical centres
boasting an impressive array of sophisticated diagnosis, therapeutic and in-
patient facilities. These establishments are well-equipped and staffed to
ensure the highest level of professionalism, safety and care to patients. Most
private medical centres have certifications for internationally recognized
quality standards such as MS ISO 9002 or have been given accreditation by
the Malaysian Society for Quality of Health.

Most private medical centres in Malaysia also offer comfortable
accommodation ranging from private rooms to suites for single occupancy or
more. Room charges, inclusive of meals, vary at medical centres but are
attractively priced. Some medical centres even provide highly qualified and
trained private nurses and personal butlers at a reasonable cost.

In brief, factors that contribute to making Malaysia a centre of medical
excellence in the region are listed below:

•Safe and politically stable country

•Wide choice of world class infrastructure facilities e.g. National
Heart Institute and Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital

•Competitive and affordable pricing and favourable exchange

•rate e.g. a normal cardiac bypass surgery would only cost around
US$9,000.

•Highly qualified, experienced and skilled consultants with foreign qualifications

•Multi-cultural and religions to accommodate all patients of different cultures and religions

•Communication is easy - English speaking Medical Staff

• State of the Art technology such as MRI, 64-Slice CT Scan, PET
Scanner for early detection of cancer and other diseases,
cyberknife which is able to radiate tumours without damaging adjacent vital structures

• Quality and safety system in place such as ISO and accreditation by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH)

• Attractive and affordable packages during recuperation period.

To ease entry formalities for patients, the Immigration Department of
Malaysia has implements the Green Lane System at main entry points which
expedites custom clearance for medical travellers. Accompanying family
members or friends of the patient can take advantage of their visit to sample
Malaysia’s various interesting tourist attractions. Cities like Kuala Lumpur and
Penang offer a truly comprehensive range of both health and tourism
services, all within easy reach. Penang, for example, is not just home to many
hospitals and medical centres; it boasts the rejuvenating air of Penang Hill,
the cozy warmth of shady beaches, and endless cultural discoveries.

STATISTIC

Statistics indicate a strong and growing interest in Malaysia’s healthcare
tourism industry. According to the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia,
the number of foreigners seeking healthcare services in Malaysia has grown
from 75,210 patients in year 2001 to 296,687 patients in year 2006 which
generated a total of RM203.66 million (USD 59 million) in revenue. In 2007,
Malaysia received 341,288 medical tourists with revenue of RM253.84 million.

BRIEF BACKGROUND

Under Malaysia’s current health tourism promotion drive, 35 private hospitals
in the country have been identified to promote Malaysia as a health tourist
destination.

Malaysia’s success in establishing itself as a regional hub for excellent
healthcare, capable of providing state-of-the-art medical facilities and services
for health tourists, began following the setting up of the National Committee
for the Promotion of Health Tourism in January 1998.
Besides the Health Ministry, the Committee includes the Ministry of
Tourism, the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia and other
government agencies such as the Malaysian Association of Tours and Travel
Agencies, Malaysian Airlines and several private hospitals.
The Committee has been cooperating with other agencies in carrying
out promotional activities concerning health tourism in the country. This
includes collaborations with the Malaysian External Trade Development
Corporation (MATRADE) through its trade missions; Tourism Malaysia
through its promotional activities; various state governments; private hospital
groups and the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia.

For further information, please log on to Association of Private
Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM) website at www.hospitals-malaysia.org or the
health tourism portal at www.malaysiahealthcare.com . For hotel booking visit cheaphotelsinmalaysia.co.cc