As the designated agency catering to medical tourists , MHTC is a vital link between private hospitals and international patients .

“ MHTC ’ s extensive international connections and Government-to-Government ( GTG ) links facilitate market penetration that may otherwise be challenging for individual hospitals to do on their own .”

This proactive outreach broadens Malaysia ’ s reach in the global medical tourism arena , fostering diversity and inclusivity in patient demographics .

Dr Kuljit underscored MHTC ’ s instrumental support in streamlining border control procedures for medical tourists . By liaising with immigration authorities , the MHTC ensures seamless entry for patients seeking healthcare services in Malaysia .

This facilitation enhances the patient experience and reinforces Malaysia ’ s reputation as a hospitable and patient-centric medical tourism destination .

NAVIGATING CHALLENGES

Amidst the optimism , Dr Kuljit acknowledged the downside to the ringgit ’ s slide . He noted that importing equipment , medications , and other essential supplies from overseas could become costlier due to the weakened ringgit . This could result in higher procurement expenses for healthcare providers , potentially influencing the overall cost of medical services .

Despite this , he was confident the impact on medical care quality would be minimal . He reassured that many significant equipment purchases are one-time investments , implying that the long-term benefits of attracting medical tourists outweigh the short-term challenges of currency fluctuations .

As medical tourism surges , the demand for beds escalates , posing another significant challenge for hospitals aiming to accommodate an enormous influx of patients .

“ We need more beds to accommodate medical tourists ,” Dr Kuljit emphasised . While some hospitals can meet this demand , expansion becomes imperative for others .

However , expansion efforts are hampered by the scarcity of nurses , as regulations mandate a requisite nurse-to-bed ratio .

“ So , our challenge is more with the nurses ,” Dr Kuljit asserts , highlighting the pivotal role of nursing staff in augmenting hospital capacity .

Consequently , hospitals often grapple with capacity constraints with the influx of local patients .

He says a substantial portion of private hospital clientele comprise local patients . These patients , predominantly from the more affluent T20 and M40 demographic segments , rely on private healthcare services .

“ Our local patients who can afford private health care are quite large . So that ’ s why there are times when almost every private hospital is full , regardless of the public ’ s complaint about private hospitals ’ bill size .”

He acknowledged the discontent among a segment of patients unable to afford private healthcare , yet seeking treatment in private hospitals . However , most patients , buoyed by medical cards and employer benefits , can access private healthcare without significant financial strain .

Despite occasional criticisms regarding billing practices , Dr Kuljit underscored the significance of catering to local and international patients to maintain operational viability .

EMBRACING DIGITALISATION AND TOURISM ATTRACTIONS

Jason stressed the importance of embracing digitalisation in healthcare as a critical strategy for Malaysia ’ s success in the medical tourism sector .

“ This is so since healthcare is becoming increasingly digitalised – ranging from the existence of electronic medical records ( EMR ) and its interface capability or inter-operability , e . g ., between the public and private sector , to the deployment of the Internet-of-Things ( IoT ), artificial intelligence and cyber-physical systems driven by 5G based on enhanced mobile broadband ( eMBB ) massive machine

Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh

“ Our local patients who can afford private health care are quite large . So that ’ s why there are times when almost every private hospital is full , regardless of the public ’ s complaint about private hospitals ’ bill size .”

type communications ( mMTC ) and ultrareliable low latency communications ( URLLC ) features .

“ We must formulate innovative strategies that will not only push up our ranking as a medical or healthcare tourism hub and further enhance our competitiveness / competitive edge but also ensure that the industry or sub-sector develops into a major tourism revenue earner for the country in line with the vision to develop Malaysia as a digital economy .”

Beyond the healthcare and digital infrastructure , Malaysia boasts many tourist attractions , ranging from pristine beaches to picturesque hill resorts .

Dr Kuljit emphasised the inherent advantages of Malaysia ’ s tropical climate and diverse tourism offerings , which present unique opportunities for synergies between the healthcare and leisure sectors .

By embracing digitalisation and leveraging Malaysia ’ s diverse tourism offerings , Malaysia can position itself as a leading destination for health tourists , contributing significantly to its tourism revenue and economic growth .

The MHTC declined to comment for this article .

Established in 2005 , MHTC is a government agency under the Ministry of Health ( MoH ) tasked with promoting Malaysia ’ s healthcare travel industry . In February reports surfaced revealing a spate of resignations from the agency .

The report claimed that since October 2023 , there were 22 resignations , spanning from middle management to top-tier staff . Former employees cited a lack of direction and a toxic work environment for their departure .

In response to that report , the MHTC had denied allegations of a lack of direction but did not address the high turnover rate . It said it had made significant strides in advancing agency-wide operational excellence crucial to strengthening its foundation and positioning the agency for its next growth phase .

It added it was evolving to meet the needs of healthcare travellers globally .