Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Programme
Grooming Malaysia ’ s top-notch medical tourism healthcare providers
An ambitious government initiative aims to boost medical tourism by supporting the growth of Malaysia ’ s leading hospitals
Over the last several years , Malaysia has become a top healthcare travel destination . In nine months alone , it recorded about 800,000 medical tourist visits from the reopening of its borders in April 2022 to the end of the year , raking in RM1.2 billion ( US $ 256 million ) in treatment revenue . Looking forward , the country is now upping its game with the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Programme , a government plan spearheaded by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council ( MHTC ) to strengthen the nation ’ s medical tourism credentials on a global level .
“ The Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Programme is a first-of-its-kind initiative that aspires to set new benchmarks in global healthcare travel ,” Farizal �aafar , Chief Commercial O�cer at the MHTC , told GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific . First announced in 2018 , the programme is being conducted in collaboration with IQVIA and the Joint Commission International ( JCI ), two world-renowned experts in healthcare quality , and aims to identify leading healthcare providers in medical tourism that can consistently deliver high quality care and services and market itself effectively overseas .
In the first phases of the programme , an independent panel of experts from I��IA and JCI selected four providers from the
Elite Member list of the MHTC , which includes most of the best private hospitals in Malaysia . Using a lengthy and rigorous process of hospital data analysis and in-hospital assessments , the experts analysed a series of metrics in medical and service excellence and international branding ( e . g ., overall performance
Farizal Jaafar MHTC Chief Commercial Officer
MHTC Airport Lounge
and growth , infrastructure , and global presence ) to identify the finalists � Institut �antung Negara , Island Hospital , Mahkota Medical Centre , and Subang Jaya Medical Centre .
These providers not only treat a significant portion of the medical tourists in Malaysia but are also “ strategically situated in major Malaysian cities : Kuala Lumpur , Selangor , Melaka , and Penang , which are key destinations for healthcare travel in the country ,” stressed Farizal . “ This placement will not only enhance medical infrastructure but also act as a catalyst for increased tourist footfall within these urban centres and directly increase the economic growth of these cities .”
In the current stage of the programme , called the acceleration period , the four finalists are receiving support to further grow and develop their medical and service excellence and international branding .
The main incentives the finalists are receiving include an investment tax allowance , fast-track facilitation and a healthcare technology sandbox to speed up medical innovation , and access to programme mentors and advisors who can help them grow and develop improved services . For instance , hospitals can receive fast approval for any equipment or facility that help accelerate their upgrading .
“ I trust that the Flagship Programme will promote innovation and excellence in medical services and bring us closer to achieving a more resilient health care system for the country and establish Malaysian health care as a world-renowned and credible global health care brand .
50 ISSUE 5 | 2023 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com