Latest news with #MalaysiaHealthcareTravelCouncil
Barnama
4 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
Island Hospital Positions Itself To Ride 2026 Medical Tourism Wave -- CEO
BUSINESS Penang's Island Hospital is strategically positioned to benefit from two major national campaigns Visit Malaysia 2026 and Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 next year. GEORGE TOWN, July 27 (Bernama) -- Penang's Island Hospital is strategically positioned to benefit from two major national campaigns Visit Malaysia 2026 and Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 next year. Chief executive officer Lim Kooi Ling said the twin initiatives are expected to drive a surge in both leisure and healthcare travellers, with Penang emerging as a key destination due to its reputation for world-class treatment paired with cultural and culinary charm. Lim said the hospital works closely with the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) to enhance support systems for international patients, including visa facilitation and resource development. 'Medical tourism is a very exciting industry and for us, it is something we have been working on for more than 25 years. "Island Hospital is already one of Malaysia's top medical tourism players, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the country's total healthcare travellers," she told Bernama. Lim said the hospital recorded over 230,000 patients last year and it expects the number to reach 250,000 this year, with half of its patients coming from Indonesia. She said the hospital's success in attracting foreign patients, especially from Indonesia, began in the late 1990s when Penang's private healthcare sector started. Lim attributed this growth to cultural familiarity, affordable treatment options and the hospital's targeted effort to develop this sector over the years. 'Our doctors and staff can speak Indonesian. We offer airport transfers, hotel bookings, and even optional tour packages depending on the patient's familiarity with Penang.
Barnama
7 days ago
- Health
- Barnama
MYMT 2026 To Boost Malaysia's Position In Global Medical Tourism
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 has officially been launched today to strengthen the country's position as a top destination for affordable and high-quality healthcare services. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said with the tagline 'Healing Meets Hospitality', MYMT 2026 aims to attract more international healthcare travellers by highlighting the country's high-quality, affordable medical services, along with its warm hospitality and wellness offerings. "Malaysia has long been recognised as a preferred destination for medical tourism. In 2024, we recorded 1.6 million healthcare travellers, generating RM2.72 billion in revenue, which marks a 21 per cent increase from the previous year. 'These figures reflect the growing confidence in our healthcare system," he said in his speech at the launch of the campaign, here. Dzulkefly, who also chairs the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), said the country's international standing in the sector was further reinforced in May this year, when it was ranked among the world's top 10 medical tourism destinations by Nomad Capitalist, alongside regional peers such as Singapore and Thailand. He said the campaign supports the broader goals of Visit Malaysia 2026 by positioning healthcare as a key economic and reputational driver, with the potential to generate between RM12 and RM15 billion by 2030 through spillover benefits to airlines, hotels, transport services, and local communities. Among the highlights of MYMT 2026 is the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) programme, which recognises excellence in clinical care, innovation and international patient services. "Four outstanding hospitals that include Institut Jantung Negara, Island Hospital Penang, Mahkota Medical Centre, and Subang Jaya Medical Centre are currently in the final stages of assessment. We look forward to announcing the winner in December," he said. The campaign also introduced celebrated singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza as its official ambassador, highlighting her as a symbol of trust, authenticity and compassion - values that reflect the core essence of Malaysia Healthcare.
The Star
19-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Selangor ramps up bid to be top medical tourism hub
Selangor local government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim. KLANG: Selangor is moving at top speed to strengthen its position as a regional medical tourism hub. State government and tourism committee chairman Datuk Ng Suee Lim said intense promotions have been carried out for the past two years to push Selangor's 42 private hospitals and the world-class health services available here. 'Currently, Selangor is number three after Penang and Melaka in the medical tourism hierarchy. ' According to Ng, Selangor was targeting medical tourists from Indonesia as Malaysia was their destination of choice for second opinions, health screening, cosmetic surgery as well as treatment and surgeries for various ailments. He said affluent Indonesians medical tourists do not usually travel alone, but would bring their families, caregivers and domestic helpers. 'So, while seeking treatment and medical consultation, they also stay in top hotels, visit tourist attractions as well as carry out extensive shopping. 'All these activities are a boon for the state's tourism industry.' Given that medical tourists from Jakarta and Medan prefer going to Penang and Melaka due to the close travel proximity, Ng said in addition to wooing them, Selangor was also exploring other locations in Indonesia. 'We teamed-up with the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council and have gone to promote Selangor as a medical tourism hub in Surabaya, Yogyakarta and Makassar. 'We had booths to showcase our private hospitals, the facilities and expertise they offer.' He added that in pursuit of Indonesian medical tourists, Selangor has even conceptualised a campaign with its own theme song dubbed Liburan Sehat Ya Di Selangor Aja! (Enjoy a Healthy Vacation in Selangor!) in conjunction with Visit Selangor Year 2025 and Visit Malaysia 2026. He said this was also a good time to woo Indonesian medical tourists who frequent Singapore but are finding it too expensive now due to the strength of the republic's currency. He added that due to intense promotions, medical tourists to Selangor has increased by more than 10% in the first six months of this year. Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia president Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said medical tourists came to Malaysia mainly for fertility, gastroenterology and oncology treatments. He added that roughly about 80% came for treatment while the rest came for health screening with the bulk of the medical tourists coming from Indonesia, China and India.
The Star
18-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Medical tours may see a dip
Vulnerable position: Penang's medical tourism sector faces challenges due to new 6% service tax on foreign patients and weakening Indonesian rupiah. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Penang's healthcare travel may face challenges with the 6% service tax on foreign patients and the weakening Indonesian rupiah. Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi said with over 90% of Penang's healthcare travellers coming from Indonesia, the impact could be significant. 'Given the depreciation of the Indonesian currency, many may begin to feel the pinch. 'Combined with the 6% service tax effective July 1, this can impact the number of foreign patients seeking private healthcare here.' On July 1, the Federal Government expanded the coverage of the sales and service tax. This 6% medical service tax applies only to foreigners seeking private healthcare here. In November last year, Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) reported that Malaysia saw 584,468 healthcare travellers arriving in the first six months of 2024. In the council's June 17 report this year: 'Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry – 2024 Performance Highlights', it noted that Penang hit a record by generating over RM1bil in healthcare travel revenue, adding to the national healthcare travel revenue of RM2.72bil. The council also said that Indonesians remain the largest group of healthcare travellers to Malaysia. Despite the expected slowdown, Gooi said Malaysia, particularly Penang, remains a key player in cross-border private healthcare. 'Malaysia offers world-class healthcare at affordable prices. Penang continues to attract foreign patients, especially from Indonesia, due to its high standards and close proximity.' The exchange rate on Thursday was RM1 to 3,844.67 Indonesian rupiah compared RM1 to 3,448.28 rupiah during the same period last year. Gooi added that affordability remains a major draw. He saw potential for growth with more direct international flights, particularly from China. 'More work needs to be done to promote private healthcare in Penang. 'We will collaborate closely with our private healthcare professionals to find new ways to attract more international patients. 'While it is still early to assess the impact, since the tax was only recently imposed, we will monitor the situation closely,' he said Gooi also said that during a recent meeting with Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and state health excos, he proposed that the Federal Government consider remitting a portion of the 6% service tax to the states generating the revenue. 'I urged the ministry to consider channelling funds to states like Penang, which have worked hard to build up their healthcare travel sector. 'Almost half of the country's foreign healthcare travel revenue comes from Penang.' Gooi added that the funds could be used to improve Penang's public healthcare facilities and infrastructure, which contribute to the convenience of healthcare travellers from abroad. 'It will help keep us as a regional leader if the tax revenue is channelled back to us in some way,' he said.
New Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
KPJ eyes medical travellers from Indonesia
KUALA LUMPUR: KPJ Healthcare Bhd is focusing on boosting its medical tourism segment, with a strong focus on attracting patients from Indonesia. Its president and managing director Chin Keat Chyuan said the group is aiming to tap into the large pool of Indonesians who travel abroad for healthcare. He said currently, an estimated 20 per cent of Indonesia's 270 million population, or about 54 million people, are seeking medical treatment in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. "According to data from the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, more than 40 per cent of those Indonesian patients are coming to Malaysia, which is contributing significantly to our health tourism industry. "This is an immediate business opportunity, especially as the group expands its workforce and increases the number of beds in its hospitals," he said in a press conference after the group's 32nd annual general meeting today. Chin also noted that KPJ is optimising its existing medical equipment and technology, including MRI machines, CT scanners, and other advanced diagnostic tools, to support the expected growth in patient volume. The group is executing long-term strategies to expand its specialist talent pool, enhance research capabilities and embed digital solutions across the organisation. "These are critical to delivering better outcomes and positioning KPJ as a leading, integrated healthcare provider in the region," he added. Meanwhile, KPJ expects about 70 per cent of its business this year to come from age-related and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to Malaysia's ageing population, with around 15 per cent of the population now aged 60 and above. The group plans to focus on treating NCDs such as heart disease, lung disease, neurological problems, strokes, cancer, and orthopaedic issues using advanced medical and surgical treatments. In financial year 2024, KPJ invested RM406 million in capital expenditure, a 66 per cent increase compared to the previous year. The investments supported infrastructure upgrades, digital expansion and the launch of its 30th hospital, KPJ Kuala Selangor Specialist Hospital. Furthermore, KPJ also continued to improve its digital ecosystem last year, including the use of smart technologies, artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostics and updates to the KPJ Cares mobile app. The group also carried out initiatives related to environmental and community health through its Klinik Waqaf An-Nur network, along with measures aligned to its Net Zero 2050 target. Meanwhile, KPJ Healthcare Bhd chairman Tan Sri Dr Ismail Bakar described 2024 as a significant year for the group as it continued to push forward with its transformation efforts. He said that apart from the group's financial performance, KPJ also made progress in implementing the KPJ Health System, a framework that integrates care, education and research. "This strategy reinforces our commitment to improving health outcomes and delivering long-term value," he noted. Looking ahead, KPJ is looking to expand its presence in the region and improve access to healthcare services in Malaysia. The group plans to continue developing its Centres of Excellence and improving integration across its clinical, research and education areas, while also working to optimise hospital operations under the KPJ Health System.
