Malaysia Sports Tourism Council
Malaysia's hospitals attract patients from distant shores. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images )
Related Articles
Tourists are increasingly flocking to Malaysia and sun, but to visit the area's hospitals, clinics and doctors' offices. With the modern ease of traveling internationally, individuals can become "medical tourists, " seeking treatments of better quality and at lower costs by traveling to other countries. Malaysia's own government supports its image as a medical tourism destination. According to Health-Tourism.com, cosmetic and medical procedures in Malaysia can cost 25 to 90 percent less than in the United Kingdom.
The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council
As of 2009, Malaysia's Ministry of Health operates the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, dedicated to improving and promoting health care within Malaysia for foreigners. The Ministry of Health's website includes an English-language guide for foreigners who are considering health tourism in the country. Online resources include a guide to hospitals offering medical care, with contact information, capacity statistics and a summary of specialties.
Treatments
Medical tourists travel to Malaysia for a wide range of services, largely depending on the state of health care in their home countries. The Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia outlines three basic medial tourism packages, a reflection of the many foreigners who travel to Malaysia seeking relatively basic treatments. The most basic package includes a full medical examination with a chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, eye test, comprehensive blood profile, lung function test and medical counseling. A female health package also includes a breast examination, pap smear and mammogram. A male health package includes an ultrasound for the prostate, liver, gall bladder, pancreas and kidneys.
Medical Tourism Facilitators
With the rising interest in Malaysia as a medical tourism destination, several companies have cropped up to serve as foreigners' liaisons and facilitators. Depending on the provider and the package, facilitator companies may pick up guests and arrange travel within Malaysia, book accommodations close to the hospital or clinic, engage translators or arrange online or telephone consultations with doctors prior to the trip. Depending on the nature of the treatment, a facilitator company may also provide nursing staff, assistants or chauffeurs for the recuperation period. For less minor medical treatments, the service may also act as a traditional tourist agency, booking leisure and sightseeing activities.
Entry Requirements
