The healthcare system in Malaysia consists of both public and private sector hospitals. About 80% of these hospitals come under the public sector which are the best facilities in the region. The government heavily subsidizes the public sector. The private sector in Malaysian healthcare is now a rapidly growing sector. It works mainly on the basis of "fee" for services provided .

The public hospitals in Malaysia are of the following three types: general hospitals, district hospitals, and special medical institutions. There is a general hospital in each of Malaysia’s sixteen state capitals, which has an average of 600 to 700 beds each. These general hospitals provide specialized medical care. The district hospitals are smaller and provide more basic medical care.

The private hospitals account for 20 percent of Malaysia’s hospital beds, but they employ about 54 percent of the doctors in Malaysia. 

SurgeryPlanet , the premier Medical tourism Facilitator with international accreditations, has the largest and best hospital network in Malaysia, which includes Mahkota Medical Centre, Gleneagles Medical Centre, KPJ Healthcare Berhad etc. Many of these hospitals in SurgeryPlanet hospital network are e ISO and JCI accredited hospitals. Most of the doctors at Malaysia are highly educated and experienced and do speak English fluently.

Medical Tourism in Malaysia

Malaysia has fast gained a reputation as one of the major medical tourism destinations of Asia. Malaysian hospitals are among the best in the region and most private hospitals have internationally recognized quality standards. Malaysia has become the chosen destination for medical travelers from all across the world due to many reasons. The cheaper cost of treatment in Malaysia, state-of-the-art hospitals and clinics, highly qualified doctors, and exotic tourist destinations. Most private hospitals in Malaysia provide comfortable accommodation facilities to tourists. Given Malaysia’s low cost of living, the accommodation does not cost a lot to the medical tourists. Malaysia ranks as among the top four centers of medical tourism in Asia with Thailand, India, and Singapore. In 2003, about 100,000 foreign patients sought treatment in Malaysia, bringing in millions in revenue. Many hospitals in Malaysia have set up international departments to cater especially to the international patients.

The Malaysian government is actively promoting medical tourism in Malaysia. As a result the number of private hospitals providing quality medical care to international patients has increased over the years. Medical and surgical procedures in Malaysia cost only 20 to 25 percent of the same in USA or UK. The official language of Malaysia is Malay, but English is spoken and understood by the doctors and health staff. The prices of medical and surgical procedures are a fraction of those in developed countries, with over 60% to 70% savings .

Citizens of the United States do not require a visa to visit Malaysia for social, business, or academic purposes. Nationals of all ASEAN countries do not require a visa for a stay of less than one month. For stays exceeding one month, the nationals of ASEAN countries, except Brunei and Singapore, require a visa. The nationals of the following countries require a visa at all times: Afghanistan, India, China, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, etc. The citizens of following countries require a visa for a stay exceeding three months: Argentina, Australia, Netherland, Norway, Qatar, France, Germany, Hungary, etc.

Why International Patients prefer Malaysia for medical treatment?

Medical expertise in Malaysia is at par with the western countries and most private hospitals in the country have internationally recognized quality standards. All private medical centers are approved and licensed by the Ministry of Health and are required to maintain stringent quality standards. People from around the world have been visiting Malaysia for Medical Tourism and avail high quality medical treatment in some of the best healthcare facilities in the country.

Cost Benefits: When compared to the medical costs in the US and UK, Malaysia offers medical services and healthcare facilities at a very competitive price. Medical Tourism packages offer world-class medical facilities to medical tourists at affordable prices.

State of the Art Healthcare Facilities in Malaysia: Most private hospitals and healthcare facilities are well equipped with state of the art equipments and are well staffed with English speaking and internationally trained medical professionals.

Highly Qualified Medical Professionals: Most hospitals and healthcare facilities are staffed by well-experienced and highly qualified English speaking medical professionals with extensive international qualifications and are supported by an equally efficient group of English speaking paramedic staff.

Affordable and comfortable Accommodation: Most private hospitals in Malaysia offer accommodation for their patients ranging from comfortable rooms to luxurious suites with full time nurses. Sleep-in facility for patient’s traveling companion is also provided by some hospitals. The cost of accommodation is very reasonable and allows most foreign patients and travel companions to enjoy the comforts ofl luxurious hotel or hospital suites.

Tourism in Malaysia

International Medical Patients get ample opportunity to enjoy the exotic Malaysian beaches or go for sightseeing and participate in other tourist activities during or after their recuperation. While patients with minor surgeries enjoy an exhilarating tourist experience, Malaysia also offers enough opportunity for critically-ill patients to take a leisurely vacation on the quiet beaches. An extensive and relaxing tour of Malaysia not only works as an enriching experience but also actively contributes to the patient’s recovery.

SurgeryPlanet, the most trusted and renowned medical tourism facilitator, makes complete door to door arrangements for international medical travelers globally. For more information visit. http://www.surgeryplanet.com