31/08/2025

ON SUNDAY August 31, 2025 theSunday Special VII

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in hand. For patients from the US, UK, Australia or Southeast Asia, the payoff is big – significant savings, quality care and a warm cultural welcome. For Malaysia, this boom supports the economy, modernises hospitals, improves healthcare access and sharpens the coun try’s global image. If Malaysia continues to invest wisely, remain competitive and uphold its patient-centric values, the rewards will extend beyond attracting medical tour ists. Strengthening the nation’s economy, reputation and quality of care for all. • Strengthening Malaysia’s brand S XFFHVV LQ PHGLFDO WRXULVP HQKDQFHV 0DOD\VLD¶V UHSXWDWLRQ IRU TXDOLW\ LQ QRYDWLRQ DQG KRVSLWDOLW\ 7KDW ERRVWV WUDGLWLRQDO WRXULVP DQG HYHQ DWWUDFWV IRUHLJQ GLUHFW LQYHVWPHQW SXVK WR DWWUDFW DQG UHWDLQ VSHFLDOLVWV IURP RYHUVHDV • Boosting medical R&D and innovation $V SULYDWH KRVSLWDOV FKDVH JOREDO VWDQGDUGV OLNH -&, DFFUHGLWDWLRQ WKH\ LQYHVW LQ 5 ' WUDLQLQJ DQG FXWWLQJ HGJH HTXLSPHQW 7KLV HOHYDWHV FDUH IRU ERWK IRUHLJQ DQG GRPHVWLF SDWLHQWV

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0DOD\VLD¶V PHGLFDO WRXULVP VHFWRU • G HQHUDWHG 50 ELOOLRQ LQ GLUHFW KHDOWKFDUH UHYHQXH • G HQHUDWHG DQ HVWLPDWHG 50 ELOOLRQ LQ ZLGHU HFRQRPLF DFWLY LW\ LQFOXGLQJ KRVSLWDOLW\ GLQLQJ WUDQVSRUW DQG ZHOOQHVV VHUYLFHV This supports hotels, spas, local tour RSHUDWRUV DQG HYHQ UHWDLO EXVLQHVVHV HVSHFLDOO\ LQ XUEDQ FHQWUHV OLNH ./ 3HQDQJ DQG 6HODQJRU • Job creation and career growth T KH LQÀX[ RI IRUHLJQ SDWLHQWV IXHOV GH PDQG IRU KHDOWKFDUH VWD̆ IURP GRFWRUV DQG QXUVHV WR DGPLQ WHDPV FRQFLHUJH VWD̆ DQG LQWHUSUHWHUV 7KHUH¶V DOVR D Still, competition is fierce. Thailand remains Asean’s top medical tourism revenue earner (US$850 million vs Malaysia’s US$444 million in 2023). To keep pace, Malaysia must: • Embrace digital healthcare – online book ings, telehealth, AI triage. • Reduce reliance on Indonesia by targeting new markets. • Keep raising healthcare standards to sustain confidence. A win-win for patients and Malaysia Malaysia’s medical tourism success shows that affordability and quality can go hand

The road ahead

MALAYSIA has set its sights on US$2.7 billion in annual revenue by 2030, sup ported by: • Increased capacity: More hospital wings and new private facilities. • Visa flexibility: 30-day visa-free stays and three-month medical visas with attendants. • Diversification: Growing patient sources beyond Indonesia to China, India, the UK, Europe and the Middle East.