“ Therefore , the HWP development sets out a holistic proposal for systemic and structural reforms to respond to the nation ’ s health challenges in a manner that ensures greater equitability , sustainability , and resilience of the Malaysian health system .”

Based on the HWP , approved by the Parliament in June 2023 , the MoH will move forward with the implementation plan in 2024 . The HWP will serve as a policy document for system-wide , holistic reform , which also seeks to address the gaps and challenges of the health system .

“ This is to ensure that Malaysia ’ s health system is equitable , sustainable , and resilient and serves the needs of all individuals at all stages of life . The MoH is developing a detailed implementation plan for health system reform based on the HWP .”

Based on the needs assessment of several systemic studies as well as stakeholder engagement sessions , the HWP proposes the following aspirations for the nation ’ s health system :

• A healthy nation with a conducive ecosystem so that the younger generation is more aware and prioritises the need to be healthy . Emphasis will be given towards preventive and promotional services so everyone will adopt a healthier lifestyle .

• An equitable , accessible and personcentred health system , where people have reasonably easy access to good quality , affordable health services and in which services are designed around a person ’ s living situation .

• A resilient health system can anticipate and respond to demands from known health challenges such as NCDs and rapid health emergencies such as outbreaks and pandemics .

• An open and innovative health ecosystem , incorporating technological

advances and the latest innovations in the delivery of health services so that they are more efficient and effective .

• A health system prized and valued by the people continuously improved to be more equitable , accessible and resilient .

PREVENTATIVE HEALTHCARE AND LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION

Radzi acknowledged that healthcare services should shift from treatment to disease prevention to protect the public

Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz

and ensure their wellbeing . The public will be encouraged to transition from seeking curative treatment for diseases to healthy living and preventing diseases concept , to improve , protect and maintain their health

As such , the Program Madani Afiat has been carried out since July 2023 to disseminate basic disease prevention information and health promotion programmess to the public , consisting of door-to-door health checks and health fairs in local communities .

MALAYSIA IS solidifying its position as a preferred destination for healthcare travellers seeking quality care at competitive costs .

This year saw a strong recovery in Malaysia ’ s medical tourism sector . The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council ( MHTC ) is poised for significant expansion , with revised targets aiming for RM7 billion in hospital receipts . It anticipates a spillover economic impact of nearly RM30 billion from 2022 to 2025 .

Having surpassed its initial 2022 revenue target of RM800 million , the MHTC has revised its expectations for this year to RM1.7 billion , up from the previous target of RM1.5 billion . The surge in revenue in 2022 , reaching RM1.3 billion , can be attributed to a notable increase in healthcare traveller arrivals , driven by pent-up demand during the pandemic .

For the first half of 2023 , the country ’ s healthcare travel industry already recorded revenue exceeding RM900 million . The sector is on track for a full recovery to its pre-pandemic performance level of RM1.7 billion , potentially establishing a new record for the industry .

Penang has emerged as a crucial player in Malaysia ’ s foreign patient market . The state ’ s revenue from medical tourism skyrocketed from RM66 million in 2021 to an impressive

RM285 million in 2022 following the reopening of the country ’ s borders .

Healthcare travel is projected to have a fourfold spillover effect , meaning that for every RM1 spent by a healthcare traveller on medical treatment , another RM4 is expected to flow into related industries .

This includes tourism , transport , accommodation , and food and beverage sectors . The indirect and induced expenditures , coupled with investments and the creation of job

and business opportunities , are set to contribute significantly to Malaysia ’ s economic landscape .

COST-EFFECTIVENESS AND AFFORDABILITY OF MALAYSIAN HEALTHCARE

Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia ( APHM ) President Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh highlighted the attractiveness of Malaysian healthcare for medical tourists . The country ’ s cost-effectiveness in treatment

care makes it a compelling choice in Southeast Asia .

The increasing trend of medical tourism in 2023 , he said , underscores the cost-effectiveness and value for money offered by the country ’ s healthcare system . This assertion challenges local perceptions , where some may label Malaysian healthcare as expensive without a comparative benchmark .

“ The local patients and payers label the private healthcare sector to be expensive , compared to the free public sector . Meanwhile , international patients can recognise the affordability and quality of Malaysian healthcare .”

He added that integrating advanced technologies such as robotics and cutting-edge treatments into healthcare services is crucial for staying competitive in the global medical tourism market . “ Private hospitals , particularly those providing tertiary and quaternary care , invest in advanced technologies such as robotics and cutting-edge treatments .”

The positive performance signals a robust recovery and places the MHTC on a trajectory of continuous and sustainable growth . Aligned with its blueprint , the council aims for sustained expansion over the next five years , building on the momentum of the strong resurgence in the medical tourism sector .