The government has taken proactive measures to promote health tourism making allowances for medical tourists who seek treatment in their country. For example, the Immigration Department of Malaysia has implemented the Green Lane System at main entry points which expedites customs clearance for medical travelers, to ease entry formalities for patients.

Once hailed as the medical community's best-kept secret, Malaysia is now often a favourite with patients wishing to benefit from the sometimes 30 to 50% lower prices than in neighbouring countries such as Thailand and India. A normal coronary bypass surgery would cost in the region of $10,600 to $13,000 compared to neighbouring countries where the same procedure can cost anything up to $20,500. Malaysian hospitals were the creators of the 'well-man' and 'well-woman' packages promoting low-cost, preventative care, also available in hospitals across the UAE. Vigorous publicity campaigns and increased marketing ventures have firmly placed the emerging country on the medical map. Companies such as Malaysia Healthcare (www.malaysiahealthcare.com), a one-stop website where both treatment and travel options can be arranged, work to further enhance the profile of the country's medical industry by exhibiting at the Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Conference, held at the Al Bustan Hotel in Dubai from the 15 to 17 Nov 2009.

Mr Sudesh Ponnudurai, CEO of Malaysia Healthcare, is aware of the importance of the increasing medical travel from the Middle East region to Malaysia.

'Malaysia, being a moderate Islamic country and a member of the OIC (Organization of Islamic Conference), is very appealing to the patients from the Middle East as we are in a position to deliver healthcare services suited to a Muslim population,' says Mr Ponnudurai. 'The number of Middle Eastern patients has steadily grown with around 11,000 patients coming from this region during last year. The Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Conference provides a platform for Malaysia to showcase its healthcare services to the people in the region.'

Dr Zainal Hamid, Cardiologist and Medical Advisor to Malaysia Healthcare, said, 'Malaysia's expertise in treatment of heart diseases is on par with many of the western countries. Its hospitals, including the well-known National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur, have the best that cardiology and cardiac surgery has to offer. Many, having undergone heart treatment in Malaysia in turn recommend our doctors and facilities to their family and friends.'

While world-class medical care is paramount to the medical traveller, we must not forget that medical tourism promotes the idea of a relaxing recovery. Malaysia, well known for its abundant tourist attractions and tropical beaches, provides the perfect setting for a speedy recovery. Medical groups and accredited hospitals across the country have established tie-ups with renowned travel agencies and hotels to provide comprehensive tourism packages in conjunction with healthcare services.

Find out more about Malaysia as a medical travel destination at the Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Conference which will run from 15 to 17 November 2009 at the Al Bustan Hotel, Dubai.

Notes and Media Contacts

Please call +971 4 3365161 or visit www.healthcare-travel.com for details on attending the much anticipated event.

About Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Conference:

Healthcare Travel is the only global event dedicated to the complete supply chain of the medical travel industry. Healthcare Travel Exhibition & Congress runs from 15 to 17 November 2009 at the Al Bustan Hotel, Dubai and is open to all. It brings together the entire cluster involved in medical travel from insurers, facilitators, travel agencies, tourist boards and other non-medical services, through to hospitals, spas, medical specialists and more, who all recognise the importance of the growth of medical tourism. The event is dedicated to the development of this growing sector. For further information, kindly visit http://www.healthcare-travel.com

About APHM:

For more information about the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM), please visit http://www.hospitals-malaysia.org.

About ISQua:

ISQua is a non-profit, independent organisation with members in over 70 countries. ISQua works to provide services to guide health professionals, providers, researchers, agencies, policy makers and consumers, to achieve excellence in healthcare delivery to all people, and to continuously improve the quality and safety of care. The International Society for Quality in Health Care (ISQua) launched its International Accreditation Programme (IAP) in 1999. For further information, kindly visit http://www.isqua.org.

For media enquiries please contact:

Inga Stevens
PR Manager
Life Science Division
IIR Middle East
T: +971 4 407 2743
F: +971 4 336 4021