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Warm Greetings from Malaysia Healthcare !
Dear Readers ,
I trust that all of you are keeping well and staying safe from wherever you are . For over a year , COVID-19 has affected everyone globally , and countries are doing all they can to curb the spread of the virus . Closer to home , as mass vaccination efforts have taken shape , Malaysia has gradually eased restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals and is looking at # ReopeningSafely , especially as the country progresses towards living with COVID-19 as an endemic .
Health is Paramount While COVID-19 has been the main health headline , it is important that we steer our focus back towards our most valuable investment : our health . Echoing what the Minister of Health Malaysia , Khairy Jamaluddin , mentioned , health is paramount , and it will be the first line of defence ( aside from vaccinations ) as we prepare ourselves in a world where COVID-19 is endemic . This will be important not only to mitigate severe symptoms associated with the virus , but also for other health concerns and general wellbeing .
Several non-communicable diseases ( NCDs ), such as diabetes , obesity , and hypertension top the list of diseases in this part of the region . In a recent joint report released by the Ministry of Health Malaysia and the World Health Organization 1 , it was revealed that NCDs cost the country more than RM8.91 billion , or about 0.65 per cent of the GDP . Thus , for us to reopen safely , we must take charge on our own health , by living a healthy lifestyle , exercising , and conducting regular health screenings .
Uncompromised on Quality For Malaysia Healthcare , our priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our nation and our patients , by providing continuity of care uncompromised on quality . We have established a strong foundation for healthcare service delivery through our seamless end-to-end patient journey since our inception over 10 years ago . This is comprised of collaborative efforts from government entities , industry players , and our network of globally accredited 73 member hospitals .
A testament to the strong collaboration and service excellence delivery are the awards Malaysia Healthcare and our network of esteemed partners continue to receive globally , most recently at the GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific Healthcare and Hospital Awards 2021 . We are proud to see the recognition received by our healthcare providers , showing our continuous commitment in providing the best healthcare experience to our patients .
Moving forward together with our partners , Malaysia Healthcare remains committed in driving forward to becoming the leading global destination for healthcare . We will continue with these synergistic collaborations to build upon the existing confidence in Malaysia as a safe and trusted healthcare destination , prioritising the best healthcare experience for our patients .
As we rapidly progress towards living with Covid-19 , it ’ s imperative that all of us continue to uphold the highest level of caution and safety in our daily lives . Let us combat the virus together , be mindful of those in need , and extend our help in any little way we can . Malaysia warmly welcomes you .
Thank you .
Mohd Daud Mohd Arif Chief Executive Officer Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council
1 https :// www . who . int / malaysia / news / detail / 08-09-2020-cardiovascular-diseases-diabetesand-cancer-cost-nearly-rm-9-billion-productivity-losses-annually-to-malaysian-economy