MALAYSIA is globally renowned as an excellent tourist destination. It is blessed with tropical sunshine, glorious beach, five-star resorts, fantastic shopping and amazing food. But what is not known to many travellers is that we also boast world-class medical facilities and services at low-cost fees.
To further position Malaysia as a global healthcare services hub, the Tourism Ministry has unveiled a health tourism portal ( www.malaysiahealthcare.com ) in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2007. The portal will be a complete facilitator for health tourism and a one-stop destination for all medical and tourism-related needs, bringing together related service providers on a single platform.
It is expected to act as a channel to network, integrate, facilitate and manage all aspects of health tourism - for both the health tourists and service providers such as hospitals, medical service providers, travel agents, insurance providers, airlines, hotels, etc.
So, what are the benefits and how do they work?
Currently, health tourists would have to make individual arrangements with numerous service providers for various treatment needs and holiday package. But if they visit the portal, health tourists can help them plan, arrange and manage their complete treatment and holiday in Malaysia.
For example, besides choosing a hospital of their choice in Malaysia, health tourists can conduct due diligence on a doctor or a specialist who would be performing the required treatment before selecting a doctor online. The portal also allows health toursits to have direct contact with the doctor, to seek consultation on the procedures, and receive advice on possible options of the treatment.
This ends the worries of the quality of healthcare while facilitating comprehensive holiday package to suit every need of the health tourist - from recuperative to recreational. The health tourism portal is developed by Tropical Flow Sdn Bhd, which includes a team of information and communication technology ( ICT ) expects with medical background, and experienced marketing professionals for Malaysia, with the support of the Health ministry and Tourism Ministry.
In Malaysia, all private medical cantres are approved and licensed by the Health Ministry. Dental healthcare is governed by the Malaysian Dental Council to ensure top-rate dental facilities and services are provided to patients.
The Health Ministry has identified 35 private hospitals nationwide that have met the criteria required to be recognised as providers of health tourism. In 2004, Malaysia generated foreign exchange earnings of RM105 million from health tourists seeking medical treatment. Tourism Malaysia forecasts revenue from health tourism to reach RM2.2 billion in 2010.
Health tourists are attracted to Malaysia because its medical charges and hospitalisation charges are very competitive compared to other countries such as the US, Europe or even Singapore.
> By Shyla Sangaran
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