Malaysia Sets Sights On Emerging As Leading Healthcare Destination By 2025
By Zufazlin Baharuddin
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is advancing steadily to emerge as a leading global healthcare destination in 2025, with the success of the healthcare tourism sector chalking up a RM2.25 billion revenue in 2023.
In just a year before the completion of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint 2021-2025, the aspiration to fulfil the “Best Malaysia Healthcare Travel Experience” by 2025 can be achieved following a growing number of health tourists making their way to Malaysia.
Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), an agency under the Ministry of Health (MoH), told Bernama that the country recorded 353,000 health tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2024 (1Q 2024), 14 per cent higher than in 1Q 2023 (310,000).
The agency said, in comparison, Malaysia recorded more than one million health tourist arrivals in 2023, up by a significant 15 per cent from 850,000 in 2022, firmly entrenching the country as a fast-growing medical destination.
MHTC said Indonesia was the highest contributor of health tourists to Malaysia, comprising 65 per cent of the total number last year.
The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint 2021-2025, which, among others, touches on the role of public and private sector stakeholders within the healthcare travel ecosystem, has managed to provide a framework of cohesive end-to-end experience to the health tourists with a high emphasis on the Malaysia healthcare brand.
Among the key touchpoints of the blueprint are medical services, teleconsultation, access to information, insurance, accommodation and immigration, which will drive the industry forward and make Malaysia a focal point to showcase the “Best Malaysia Healthcare Travel Experience” by 2025.
MHTC said the health tourism industry generated healthcare tourist revenue of RM577 million in 1Q 2024, 18 per cent higher than 1Q 2023 (RM490 million).
MHTC said this is expected to contribute to an economic spillover to other industries to the tune of RM9.6 billion.
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) should also be credited as having a role in this journey based on a recent statement that the agency is actively supporting the international expansion of Malaysia’s healthcare industry via its vast network of global offices to ensure both the industry’s competitiveness and secured future-proof growth.
With 49 offices worldwide, MATRADE has connected Malaysian companies, including healthcare firms, with foreign importers through export missions, business match-making programmes as well as market intelligence reports, all of which have promoted Malaysia’s healthcare tourism industry.
These efforts reflect Malaysia’s commitment to advancing healthcare innovation and excellence, positioning the country as a key hub for global healthcare partnerships and business opportunities, according to MATRADE.
-- BERNAMA
