30/05/2025

FRIDAY | MAY 30, 2025

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Malaysia has competitive edge in medical tourism: Expert

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. – BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE Hospital referrals used as loophole to enter country PETALING JAYA: Amid the rapid growth of the health tourism industry, allegations have emerged of loopholes being exploited by individuals using medical referrals as a cover to sneak into the country. According to an industry source, these individuals would obtain referral letters from local hospitals to support their visa applications but once they enter Malaysia, they skip the medical treatment they initially claimed to require. “It does happen. Someone says they are coming to a certain hospital. They get their documents ready but they do not show up. They might not even seek any medical treatment at all once they enter our country,“ a medical expert with experience in the health tourism sector told theSun on condition of anonymity. “These days, people can manipulate the system. When rules are not being followed properly, that is when things start to fall apart.” The expert said this is not exclusive to medical tourism but happens across the board. “It ultimately comes down to good governance. Everyone involved has their own responsibilities. Perhaps we need to tighten the process in issuing visas for travellers.” He said proper evaluation must be done before a visa is issued and proper tracking mechanisms should be applied for every foreigner coming into the country. An Immigration Department source confirmed the issue but said it has been investigated by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC). “We have not received information yet as the EAIC has not disclosed the outcome of their probe. However, this issue has indeed occurred,“ the source told theSun on condition of anonymity. – BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE

o Significant cost advantage of healthcare sector places nation as top destination of choice

She added that most of her products are sold to local suppliers and wholesalers, who act as agents to distribute her hand-painted batik clothing and fabrics. She said her journey and success as a batik art entrepreneur would not have been possible without the support of her family and the early encouragement of her late teacher Othman Buyong, the first person who believed in her talent and potential in the field. “I still remember, I was not good at drawing at all but my teacher was committed to teaching me proper techniques. After seeing one of my early works, he told me that I had talent that could be nurtured with the right guidance. That encouragement made me fall in love with the world of art.” Looking ahead to Visit Negeri Sembilan 2026, she expressed hope of collaborating with state Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee chairman Nicole Tan and the corporation’s state branch to introduce bunga lado -patterned batik to a wider international audience. – Bernama Asia’s medical tourism sector, Malaysia is catching up fast. “I believe that with the right strategy and government support, Malaysia could become a regional hub,” he said. “If we manage it more aggressively and strengthen our systems, we would be in an even better position. The government has a role to play in building the structure to support this growth.” He added that Malaysia should study what Thailand did to boost their health tourism industry further. Ishak emphasised that while health tourism is an economic opportunity, industry players must remain focused on care and compassion. “Yes, health tourism is a business but it cannot just be about profits. We are here to help people. That is what truly matters,” he said, adding that patients from as far as Somalia would travel to Malaysia despite the distance, simply because they feel safe and comfortable here. “Our facilities may not be world-class in every aspect but the trust and comfort we offer is what keeps them coming.” A health tourism expert, who wished to remain anonymous, said at least 80% of tourists that have sought medical treatment in Malaysia are from Indonesia. She added that the top five treatments that Indonesian patients seek in Malaysia are for heart-related conditions, cancer, orthopaedics, general health screenings and gastroenterology procedures. She said this was mainly due to the limited number of specialist doctors and medical facilities in

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Batik Negeri Sembilan, has become a pioneer in producing bunga lado (pepper flower)-patterned batik , a distinctive design representing the state and gaining popularity in the market. She said she had no prior drawing skills and began painting batik at home, with her breakthrough coming after receiving a grant from the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation. “The batik I produce is more contemporary and abstract, including the bunga lado pattern, which carries its own character and philosophy, distinct from the more traditional styles found in the East Coast. Each piece has its own story.” Operating her business in Senawang, Norhaslilee is also a supplier to batik entrepreneurs in the East Coast, Sabah and Sarawak. She said her product range includes batik shirts, blouses and her latest creation, the bunga lado batik tengkolok (traditional Malay head dress), with prices ranging between RM80 and RM800. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is positioning itself as a competitive destination for medical tourism, with affordable health care costs, trusted professionals and a growing reputation for quality services, said Al-Islam Specialist Hospital director Dr Ishak Mas’ud. He added that the significant cost advantage of Malaysia’s healthcare sector compared with other countries, particularly neighbouring Singapore, is among the reasons individuals prefer Malaysia as the destination to seek treatment. “Let us take Singapore as an example. It is definitely more expensive there compared with here. Their currency is more than three times stronger. Anywhere you go, that is the basic reality. If we compare, Malaysia is not just a little, but significantly cheaper.” He said Malaysia’s openness, cultural familiarity and availability of halal -compliant services make it a preferred destination for Muslim medical tourists, especially from the Middle East. He also said while countries such as Thailand are leading in Southeast

Ishak said while health tourism is an economic opportunity, industry players must remain focused on care and compassion. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

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. Indonesia to meet the high demand for such treatments. “However, the types of treatments sought by patients from different countries vary. This is largely influenced by the cost of treatment in their home countries and the waiting time required to see specialist doctors there. “Chinese travellers would come here just because it is faster for them to get in-vitro fertilisation treatment in Malaysia despite more advanced facilities available in their country.” She emphasised that one of the

“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 main reasons behind Malaysia’s strong performance in the health tourism industry is the regulation of service prices at private healthcare facilities by the Health Ministry. “The implementation of ceiling prices for treatments in Malaysia is a major factor attracting patients, as such pricing regulations are not commonly found in other countries.” Dubai-based firm Nomad Capitalist has also ranked Malaysia as its top destination for medical tourism, behind countries such as Singapore, India and Turkiye.

Industry revenue soars to new record of RM2.7 billion in 2024

Woman pioneers bunga lado batik SEREMBAN: Norhaslilee Ibrahim, 48, owner of d’NIYY Arts