November-December. 2025 | The HEALTH

LOCAL NEWS

TRAVEL THRIVE: MHTC leads a prestigious delegation at the ASTINDO Travel Fair 2025, showcasing Malaysia’ s commitment to healthcare excellence and cross-border collaboration

Regarded as one of the largest tourism exhibitions in the country, the event gathered travel agents, airlines, hotels, medical institutions, and tourism partners under one roof, fostering cross-border collaboration.

As part of the Malaysia Healthcare Pavilion, MHTC led a delegation of nine world-renowned Malaysian hospitals,

IN a significant advancement for men ' s health, BIG CARiNG Group, Malaysia ' s largest pharmacy chain, has established partnerships with the Rotary Club of Kuala Lumpur DiRaja( RCKL DiRaja) and the National Cancer Society of Malaysia( NCSM).

This collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding( MOU), aims to enhance early screening and detection of prostate cancer, specifically among Malaysian men, particularly those from the B40 community and other high-risk groups.

The MOU was signed by prominent figures from the organisations: BIG CARiNG Group Chief Operating Officer Chong Yeow Siang; RCKL DiRaja President Dato’ Dr Prakash Rao; and NCSM President Dato’ Dr Saunthari Somasundaram.

Project Blue Dot, spearheaded by RCKL DiRaja, focuses on subsidising thereby reinforcing Malaysia ' s position as a trusted global destination for quality medical care and wellness.

The participating hospitals included two finalists from MHTC’ s Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital( FMTH) programme: Institut Jantung Negara( IJN) and Mahkota Medical Centre.

Other notable institutions included Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur( CVSKL), Gleneagles Hospital Penang, LohGuanLye Specialists Centre, Northern Heart Hospital Penang, Penang Adventist Hospital, and both Sunway Medical Centre and Sunway Medical

Prostate-Specific Antigen( PSA) screening and providing essential follow-up support for individuals who need further medical investigations.

NCSM plays a vital role as the clinical lead, ensuring the provision of medical personnel and maintaining rigorous screening protocols. Additionally, BIG CARiNG Group will enhance the initiative ' s reach by offering convenient screening locations across its network of pharmacies.

Dr Prakash said:“ Many men still feel uncomfortable talking about their health, especially regarding the prostate. Through Project Blue Dot, we aspire to normalise these discussions. Getting screened is an act of strength, not weakness.”

He emphasised that open community conversations would encourage more men to participate in health screenings.

As a significant first step, Project

Centre Penang.

MHTC ' s participation at the ASTINDO Travel Fair 2025 reaffirmed Malaysia ' s commitment to strengthening healthcare partnerships in Indonesia, particularly across Sumatra, a crucial market for health travellers.

MHTC Chief Executive Officer Suriaghandi Suppiah stated: " Through initiatives like the Malaysia Healthcare Pavilion, we showcased Malaysia ' s excellence in medical expertise, advanced technology, and warm hospitality, all of which have contributed to our reputation as a preferred choice for healthcare travellers from Indonesia."

This initiative aligned with the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism( MYMT) 2026 campaign, themed " Healing Meets Hospitality," which emphasised Malaysia ' s world-class healthcare ecosystem, seamlessly integrating internationally accredited medical services with the nation ' s unique culture of care and hospitality.

Moreover, MHTC’ s involvement complemented Tourism Malaysia ' s participation at the event, which promoted the upcoming Visit Malaysia 2026( VM2026) campaign under the theme " Malaysia a Sustainable Destination & Rich in Culture."

Together, both organisations highlighted Malaysia ' s appeal as a destination not only for leisure but also as a comprehensive hub for healthcare, wellness, education, and lifestyle tourism.

Blue Dot aims to offer 3,000 free prostate cancer screenings to Malaysian men aged 45 and above who belong to the B40 and high-risk categories.

Prostate cancer, now the third most prevalent cancer among Malaysian men, often remains undetected until later stages, primarily due to cultural sensitivities that discourage men from seeking examinations.

Dr Saunthari remarked on the importance of early detection:“ A simple PSA test can mean the difference between treatable disease and a life-threatening condition. Through Project Blue Dot, we are integrating medical expertise into communities, making preventive screening a regular aspect of health practices.”

Project Blue Dot is set to continue until June 2026, illustrating a dedicated commitment to promoting early detection and comprehensive care for prostate cancer.

IN a remarkable initiative that blends fun with philanthropy, ACCEA Malaysia, the branch of Japan’ s largest printing company, has introduced a humansized Snakes and Ladders game to a local rehabilitation centre, bringing joy and support to patients in need.

Hafiq Abdul Halim, the branch manager of ACCEA ' s Wisma UOA KLCC location, described how the idea originated: a human-sized interactive game for a gathering with ACCEA Japan staff visiting Malaysia.

Hafiq expressed the desire to celebrate Malaysian culture through traditional games. He and his team created an engaging, human-sized Snakes and Ladders game to foster interaction among participants.

As the project progressed, Hafiq’ s leadership led to a charitable donation of the game to IHT Kuala Lumpur, a rehabilitation centre dedicated to supporting stroke patients and individuals with disabilities. Recognising the game’ s potential to aid in therapy, Hafiq suggested the donation to ensure it served a meaningful purpose beyond the initial event.

Upon delivering the game, which included custom oversized dice, Hafiq received enthusiastic feedback from the hospital staff. Patients have been engaging with the game daily, demonstrating its therapeutic impact.

Even the wear on the dice showcases its frequent use, highlighting the residents’ enjoyment and commitment to recovery activities.

In response to the positive reception, Hafiq hinted at future charitable initiatives. Plans are already in motion to explore similar opportunities with additional medical facilities. While they recognise the limitations of their resources, Hafiq mentioned that ACCEA aims to conduct charitable donations annually or biannually as part of their ongoing commitment to giving back to the community.

Hafiq emphasised the importance of such initiatives, reminding everyone that even small contributions can make a significant impact on those in need. The Snakes and Ladders game is more than just entertainment; it facilitates recovery and brings together communities.

As they continue this inspiring journey, ACCEA Malaysia hopes to encourage other organisations to engage in acts of kindness within their communities.

This initiative not only highlights ACCEA Malaysia’ s dedication to social responsibility but also serves as a heartening reminder that compassion and creativity can make a difference in people ' s lives.- The HEALTH