Malaysia Medical Tourism Set to Keep Growing

Six months after reopening the borders since the Covid Pandemic, Malaysia is seeing a return of foreign patients seeking medical care, the country’s health care providers said. Medical tourism in Malaysia will experience a much-needed resurgence as the country enters epidemic season. In 2019, Malaysia attracted 1.22 million medical travelers and the country looks set to welcome higher revenue in 2025. Projected from RM 1.7bil to RM 2bil. To achieve this goal, MHTC recently launched the Malaysia Medical Travel Blueprint 2021-2025 Its key strategy focuses on enhancing Malaysia’s reputation as a quality healthcare destination by improving the quality of healthcare. Here’s one of MHTC roadshows in Indonesia, this one being held in the atrium of the Centrepoint Shopping Centre Medan in 2022. 

The Reasons Why Malaysia is Leading in Medical Tourism

• Advance Healthcare Pioneer

Malaysia constantly keeps up with the newest breakthroughs in medical technology. A successful Micra AV pacemaker implantation performed by the National Heart Institute (IJN) in 2020 is one such example. Furthermore, Malaysia is attempting to consolidate traditional and modern medical practices as part of its healthcare industry. The Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Act 2016 is one such move to better incorporate traditional and complementary medicine in the country.

• Strategic Location

Malaysia can be considered a gateway to Asia with its location bordering many Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines. While Malaysia is still accessible to travelers from other Asian countries like India, Japan, South Korea, and China.

• Affordable Medical Treatment

Beyond Malaysia’s growing medical expertise, there is a relative cost compared to that of other countries. Medical tourists from Western countries choose Malaysia as their destination of choice because they can save thousands in their currency when having medical procedures performed in Malaysia rather than in their home country.  Depending on the procedure, some procedures – like cosmetic surgery – may be half the price of what someone might pay in a Western country. 

A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation in the United States can cost up to USD 77,000, whereas in Malaysia, the same operation costs approximately USD16,000 after conversion. This is a huge draw for international tourists, as it means they can afford top-of-the-line medical treatments without having to break the bank.

• Globally Recognised Hospitals

Malaysia has pursued some accreditations such as from the Joint Commission International, an independent, not-for-profit organization that advocates rigorous standards of healthcare and improves healthcare performance and outcomes; and the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee’s (RTAC) International Code of Practice for the delivery of safe fertility treatments.

These goals require rigorous implementation of high-quality care delivery at every step, and they must be maintained at all times. As such, they don’t simply boost a hospital’s popularity or prestige, but rather demonstrate the importance of prioritizing excellent healthcare outcomes without sacrificing quality. They also encourage strong accountability on the part of accredited hospitals, as they continually strive to ensure that accredited hospitals always meet the highest standards of medical care. 

Here are the top 10 reputable hospitals in Malaysia:

1. Prince Court Medical Centre – Kuala Lumpur

The medical center is managed and operated by Petronas, a state-owned oil and gas company. This general hospital offers a full range of medical services and is known as the hospital of choice among wealthy royals and royalty.

2. Pantai Hospital Group – Kuala Lumpur, Nationwide

Pantai Hospital is one of the most established medical centers in Malaysia. It has branches across the country, including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Batu Pahat, Sungai Petani, Klang, Ayer Keroh, and Klang Valley. Pantai Hospital in Bangsar is one of Malaysia’s top hospitals which is very popular among high-income earners.

3. KPJ Specialist Hospital – Johor Bahru, Nationwide

The KPJ Specialist Hospital is managed by the KPJ Healthcare Berhad Group. There are now 21 hospitals in Malaysia and 2 more in Indonesia, with a medical school.

4. Gleneagles Medical Centre – Kuala Lumpur, Johor

The Gleneagles Medical Centre was once known as the most expensive hospital in Malaysia, but it has fallen off the list with newer and more sophisticated centers such as Prince Court and Sunway.

5. Sunway Medical Centre – Subang Jaya

Sunway Medical Center is managed and owned by Sunway Group, which has many other businesses including real estate development, retail, and education. Multiple specialty hospitals with modern medical equipment, so bills can be quite high.

6. Columbia Asia Medical Center – Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor Bahru

Columbia Asia Medical Center, which has existed since 1998, is one of the most recently established and expanded hospitals in the country. The first center was in Shah Alam and now has many branches across the country, partly owned by EPF (Employee Providence Fund).

7. Regency Specialist Hospital Regency Specialist Hospital – Johor

A private specialist Hospital that already receives accreditation from Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) and Malaysian Health care Travel Council (MHTC).

As one of the best Hospital in Malaysia with 80 Specialist from various medical and surgical discipline, Regency Specialist Hospital founded on 2009, Managed and owned by Health Management International ltd (HMI) and Mahkota Medical Centre (MMC) Melaka.

8. Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital – Petaling Jaya

The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital is one of Malaysia’s most specialized hospitals focused on specific eye care treatment.

9. TMC Fertility Centre – Johor Bahru, Nationwide

TMC (Tropicana Medical Centre) is a highly specialized medical center with a focus on fertility. To date, it has performed more than 3,000 IVF procedures, making it the preferred choice in the field for couples who are having problems conceiving and other related medical problems.

10. Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital – Tanjung Bungah

Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital is a highly focused medical center in Penang that specializes in cancer treatments. As the name suggests, Mount Miriam Hospital is often referred to as the Oncology Specialist and has been providing treatment to patients around the country for decades now.

• Leading in Medical Research

With a long history of thriving medical research, Malaysia continues to play its part, conducting a total of 215 new clinical studies that will commence in 2021. This puts Malaysia in line with other regional partners such as Singapore and is seen as a positive sign that Malaysia is on the right track as a major global healthcare hub. Malaysia clinical trials are monitored and supported by various organizations such as MoH, National Committee for Clinical Research (NCCR), and Clinical Research Malaysia.

• Great Hospitality Culture

Malaysians are popular for the courteous and humble service they provide to visitors from all over the world. This works very well in the healthcare industry where nurses and doctors provide excellent service every step of the way. It easily attracts medical travelers with its support. Part of this excellence comes from Malaysia’s desire to give individualized attention to all patients undergoing or recovering from treatment. 

• High-Quality Healthcare and Service

Healthcare in Malaysia also focuses on patient comfort, offering same-day results for health checks and other tests, as well as top-notch facilities and amenities while waiting for results. This provides medical travelers with adequate comfort while waiting and allows them to carry out various activities. They can even explore nearby points of interest before returning in time to find the next appointment.

• Trusted Halal Healthcare

Halal medicines and medical care have become more popular in recent years, especially in Muslim-majority countries like Malaysia. This has helped attract Muslim medical tourists from countries such as Indonesia and Saudi Arabia. Malaysia has also partnered with Kazakhstan, Libya, and Oman as part of efforts to boost their medical tourism sectors. To meet these growing demands, “MS2424:2012 Halal Pharmaceuticals – General Guidelines” was developed and introduced in 2012, becoming the world’s first halal standard for pharmaceuticals. 

The standard was developed to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of certified medicines and treatments while effectively addressing the complexities of the pharmaceutical industry. This coincides with its recent adoption of the MS2636 standard for halal medical products, further expanding the network of Muslim-friendly medical tourism in Malaysia.

• Wonderful Tourism Destination

Medical tourists may come to Malaysia for world-class, affordable healthcare, but they may also stay longer for its abundance of destinations: sandy beaches, hilltop scenic vistas, and majesty. Whether it’s spectacular caves or exploring the city’s historic districts, Malaysia has a wide variety of flavors to offer travelers. Medical tourism packages leave medical travelers with no choice as they stay in the best hotels with easy access to world-class hospitals and nearby attractions. 

Malaysia as The Top Destination for Fertility Treatment

In Malaysia, 10 out of 30 fertility centers in the world are accredited by the International Reproductive Technology Accreditation Commission (RTAC). Treatment costs are also reasonable from $4,000 to $5,000 per cycle. 

China was an important market for Malaysia’s fertility centers even before the Covid-19 pandemic after the country abolished its one-child policy in 2016. This paved the way for nearly 90 million couples in China, which has 40 million couples over the age of 40, to seek quality fertility treatment.

Other foreign tourists came from Singapore, Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Brunei, with Indonesia and China accounting for more than two-thirds of Malaysia’s medical revenue in 2019. In the same year, health tourists from Myanmar and Vietnam accounted for two-thirds of foreigners with obstetric and gynecological examinations. These hospitals in Malaysia are conveniently located at all sea and air borders in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru making frequent and cost-effective return follow up easy and affordable. 

TMC Clinic New Campaign with Outdoor Advertising Media at Batam International Ferry Terminals between Stulang Laut Johor Bahru Malaysia

TMC Fertility Center has become the leading fertility center of choice for Malaysians. As one of the best fertility centers in Malaysia, TMC Fertility offers a wide range of fertility services and is always exploring the latest advancements in fertility technology. TMC continues to set new standards in fertility innovation in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific.

To reach and attract more international patients, TMC Clinic recently partnered with The Perfect Media in their latest promotional campaign using Out of Home (OOH) media at Batam Center International Ferry Terminal. Batam was chosen because it is one of the cities in Indonesia that connects many cities to neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore with very high traffic. Likewise, the Batam Center International Ferry Terminal is the city’s main port which recorded a significant increase in the number of international passengers after the post-pandemic border reopened. Some of seaport’s destinations from Batam centre to Johor Bahru are to Pasir Gudang, Stulang Laut and Tanjung Pengelih.

TMC Clinic utilizes double-sided signboard pillars in the departure lounge to Malaysia inside the Batam Center International Ferry Terminal. This OOH media point is very strategic because it definitely reaches every international passenger on the Batam-Malaysia route. The ferry terminal lounge looks exclusive.

TMC Clinic advertisements on pillar signboards are placed near the waiting chairs to reach the full audience of the room easily. Passengers can directly connect with advertising messages because of the ads’ unique and eye-catching appearance. The premium image on the ferry terminal also strengthens the exposure and influence of the advertising campaigns installed on the OOH advertising media.

Attracting Indonesian Medical Tourists: A Priority for the Local Healthcare Industry

Indonesia is a very important market for medical tourism in Malaysia as the burgeoning Indonesian middle class wants to seek treatment abroad. According to the Indonesian government, Indonesians spend Rp 100 trillion (US$7 billion) to Rp 150 trillion a year on medical services and treatments abroad.

The number of Indonesian patients abroad increased significantly from 350,000 in 2006 to 600,000 in 2015. According to the MHTC report, Indonesia is the largest market for Malaysian healthcare with a population of over 260 million. Recorded in 2018, more than 670,000 people in Indonesia have availed of healthcare services. This number represents approximately 60% of the total foreign patients seeking treatment in Malaysia. Indonesian health tourists feel comfortable in Malaysia because of its common language, food, religion, and travel convenience.

Promote Medical Tourism to The Next Level with OOH Advertising

In the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Community (AEC) there is a deeper integration of health services and trade in health services. Especially in the health sector, the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS). In this regard, the ASEAN Open Skies Agreement, launched in 2005 by the Minister of Transport to accelerate the liberalization of air travel, allows regional low-cost airlines to enter the market and increase the number of flights between ASEAN destinations. Making it possible to offer flights for Increased air transport capacity between regions has facilitated medical travel within ASEAN.

ASEAN countries other than Malaysia have the same opportunity to expand their medical tourism market. There are many hospitals, clinics, and health service providers that are attractive to foreign medical tourists. Indonesia, for example, in several big cities such as Batam and Medan, there are several well-known hospitals with global standards. Among them is Awal Bros Hospital in Batam which is accredited at the national level by the Hospital Accreditation Commission (KARS) and internationally by the Joint Commission International (JCI). As well as Siloam Dhirga Surya Hospital in Medan which has also been accredited by JCI.

Then, how can healthcare providers increase brand awareness and get the attention of their service community? Prior to TMC Clinic, KPJ Puteri and Regency Hospital were two other medical companies from Malaysia that had used OOH media at Batam Center International Ferry Terminal to place their promotional advertisements. They wanted to create an advertising campaign based on an individual communication approach to increase brand awareness for a potential audience coming from Batam or out-of-town travelers overseas via the ferry terminal.

The advertising campaign includes information about both companies, increasing health awareness and the need for access to quality care. Both companies aim to develop a community of services not only for the people of Malaysia but also for the people of Indonesia and other international communities. KPJ Puteri and Regency Hospital have consistently strengthened their branding influence in the medical traveler community via the Indonesia-Malaysia-Singapore hub for years utilizing the power of OOH Advertising from The Perfect Media.

In collaboration with The Perfect Media, MHTC has carried out branding at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in the departure areas at the check-in counter areas promoting Malaysia’s best heart treatment services.

Malaysia truly developing their health industry to a further level — becoming the leading country in Southeast Asia for the majority of international health travelers.

Do you want to maximize your branding and expand your business in Batam, Medan, Jakarta, Bali and many more cities in Indonesia?

Grab the latest opportunity of the Indonesia borders reopening to raise your brand awareness using OOH Advertising in Ferry Terminal and Airport area now. Reach the right millions with The Perfect Media. Contact us for more info: [email protected] | wa.me/6588120555

The post TMC Clinic Promotion Campaign and Malaysia Medical Tourism branding with OOH Advertising Indonesia appeared first on The Perfect Media.