Those who wish to seek medical treatment abroad should include Malaysia in their consideration lists. Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, Malaysia is fast becoming a major destination for medical tourism.
Why Malaysia?
There are several reasons that make this country worth-considering if you seriously want to look for another alternative for your healthcare needs.
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As a former British colony, English is widely spoken in Malaysia and this will certainly make communication easier for travelers.
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Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, is a bustling metropolitan city with excellent public transportation, making it easy for travelers to get around. So is Penang, another popular city in Malaysia for medical tourism.
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Both cities offer various accommodations to suit anyone’s budget, from five-star hotels to inexpensive bed and breakfast homes.
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Restaurants are aplenty (some even open 24/7) with a wide variety of food available, including international cuisine.
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The presence of sophisticated specialties and world-class hospitals in Kuala Lumpur and Penang is turning Malaysia into an important healthcare hub in Asia. In the past, many international patients would go to its neighboring country, Singapore, for medical treatment. Today, however, a growing number of people from around the world visit Malaysia for medical tourism.
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State-of-the-art equipment, as well as highly qualified medical professionals and English-speaking staff in the hospitals and healthcare facilities are guaranteed to benefit the patients.
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Compared to the USA or the UK, the medical costs in Malaysia are relatively low. The cost for a heart bypass surgery in the USA, for example, can be 14 times higher than the cost in Malaysia, despite using the same current technology and method.
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The favorable exchange rate of the US dollar, the British pound, and the Euro to the Malaysian Ringgit offers even more value to medical tourists.
Hospitals and specialties
Some of the best hospitals and medical specialties in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor (30-minute drive away from Kuala Lumpur) include Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre, National Heart Institute, Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital, Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Damansara Specialist Hospital, Assunta Hospital, Pantai Medical Centre, Sunway Medical Centre, Subang Jaya Medical Centre, and Tung Shin Hospital. In Penang, the Gleneagles Medical Centre, Penang Adventist Hospital, and Island Hospital are extremely popular with the foreign patients.
Most of the private hospitals and medical centers in Malaysia have achieved certification for internationally recognized quality standards (MS ISO 9002) or accreditation by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH). In addition, all private medical centers are approved and licensed by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
A wide range of medical services are offered in the various medical centers, including screening services, diagnostic services, curative/ therapeutic services, diabetes and nutrition treatments, dialysis, wellness and aesthetics, dental care, speech therapy, audiology, and rehabilitation services.
Malaysia My Second Home and Tourism
Lastly, touring and sightseeing can also be part of the trip as Malaysia has plenty to offer when it comes to tourism. Many parts of Malaysia, such as Sabah, Penang, and Langkawi, offer beautiful beaches where patients can enjoy a quiet vacation. Sometimes, an exciting and enriching vacation experience can contribute to recovery provided of course the patient is not critically ill.
Helpful links:
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http://www.hospitals-malaysia.org/ gives you a complete guide to health and medical tourism in Malaysia.
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http://www.malaysiahealthcare.com/ helps you plan you medical travel to Malaysia, including booking of accommodation and reservations with treating doctors.
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http://www.ytlcommunity.com/mydoctor/ tells you where to find doctors, specialists, and pharmacies in Malaysia.
