MAHKOTA MEDICAL CENTRE TARGETS 20 PCT INCREASE IN FOREIGN PATIENTS THIS YEAR

By Premalatha Jayaraman

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Mahkota Medical Centre Sdn Bhd (MMC)
has target a 20 per cent increase in foreign patients this year, as the hospital
continues to deliver quality services, said its Chief Executive Officer/Group
Executive Director, Francis Lim.

Towards this end, Lim said MMC would focus on delivering good facilities
while highlighting the qualification and experience of its doctors.

"This is besides creating an awareness among foreigners, over the available
facilities," he told Bernama in a recent interview.

"MMC plans to spend RM38 million (US$11.02 million) over the next three
years to purchase new
equipment and replace old ones, while improving facilities," he explained.

According to Lim, last year, MMC saw a drop of between 15 to 20 per cent in
foreign patients registered, due to the economic downturn.

"The medical industry is fairly resilient. We believe anything put off last
year, will be eventually be done," he said.

He also highlighted that the hospital could also take advantage of pricing
but this is not one of its criteria.

"Medical care in the home country of a patient could be expensive. So, they
come to Malaysia for treatment as our pricing is standard with the maximum fee
stipulated in the Medical Act," he said.

On expansion plans, Lim said MMC is eyeing new markets like Bangladesh and
also developed ones

"There are lots of opportunities in the developed markets. We are still
exploring the prospects," he added.

MMC has at present, representative offices in Indonesia and Cambodia.

The Mahkota Medical Centre (MMC) is a private health care services provider
strategically located within the centre of Malacca Town, a famous historical and
tourism area in Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA