Global Health Asia-Pacific May 2020 | Page 66

Penang Guide The essential guide to medical tourism in Penang Penang is one of the most visited states in Malaysia and is located on the north-west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It’s composed of two main parts: Penang Island and Seberang Perai. Widely known as the ‘Pearl of the Orient,’ Penang attracts millions of tourists every year with its mixture of multicultural heritage, natural charms, and wonderful food. Penang is also a popular medical tourism destination, with around 60 percent of the tourists who visited the state in 2017 coming for affordable, high-quality medical treatment. According to the former Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, Penang’s medical tourism industry contributed 42.3 percent of the health tourism market’s revenues in Malaysia. On the tropical island, medical tourists get the best in terms of quality, options, and savings. The top medical procedures include cosmetic surgery, eye care, and dental surgery. 64 MAY 2020 Penang’s top strengths as a medical tourism destination • World-class doctors and well-trained nurses. • A wide range of excellent healthcare services. • Affordable medical procedures that cost less than some other popular healthcare destinations. • No queue for specialist consultations. • Public and private hospitals with global accreditation to ensure quality care. • The perfect environment for recovery and relaxation. Source: MyMediTravel GlobalHealthAndTravel.com