Tourism (and travel) is an activity that can contribute to the creation or improvement of wellbeing. Health tourism covers those types of tourism which have as a primary motivation, the contribution to physical, mental and/or spiritual health through medical and wellness-based activities which increase the capacity of individuals to satisfy their own needs and function better as individuals in their environment and society.
Health tourism is the umbrella term for the subtypes: wellness tourism and medical tourism.
Wellness tourism is a type of tourism activity which aims to improve and balance all of the main domains of human life including physical, mental, emotional, occupational, intellectual and spiritual. The primary motivation for the wellness tourist is to engage in preventive, proactive, lifestyle enhancing activities such as fitness, healthy eating, relaxation, pampering and healing treatments.
Medical tourism is a type of tourism activity which involves the use of evidence-based medical healing resources and services (both invasive and non-invasive). This may include diagnosis, treatment, cure, prevention and rehabilitation. The 22nd Session of the UNWTO General Assembly held in Chengdu, China (September 2017), adopted as Recommendations the below of health tourism, medical tourism and wellness tourism.
Malaysia has built a strong reputation as a safe and trusted global destination for healthcare over the past 10 years, with visitors from across the world coming for a range of treatments. Malaysia provides a rare combination of high-quality, low-cost healthcare, and an appealing vacation destination for health-conscious travellers. Travellers to Malaysia can have their health checked and use facilities such as preventive wellness, spas, cosmetic and dental surgery, among others.
Here are 9 reasons why you should choose Malaysia
1. Top destination
Currently, Malaysia is ranked among the top medical tourism destinations in Asia, alongside India, Thailand, Singapore and South Korea.
Malaysia’s healthcare system has been internationally recognised and has garnered numerous global accolades over the years. They include International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ) Destination of the Year: Malaysia (2015, 2016, 2017 and 2020); IMTJ Cluster of the Year: Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020); Asia Pacific Healthcare and Medical Tourism Awards (2016-2022); and International Living: Asia’s Top Destination for Retirement Living (2015-2022).
2. Cost-Effective
One of the main reasons medical tourism is becoming popular is the cost of medical services offered by medical tourism destinations. Malaysia offers an excellent and affordable healthcare. Tightly regulated by the Ministry of Health, the country’s world-class healthcare is competitive and attractively affordable without compromising the quality of treatments.
3. Shorter Waiting Times
Patients who seek immediate medical care and treatment often opt for traveling outside of their home country because they are looking for shorter wait times. Malaysia can offer a much faster way to get the necessary care and patients can receive treatment within days of arrival.
4. State-of-the-art facilities and Access to Cutting-Edge Technology
Medical institutions come fully equipped with some of the most advanced facilities such as diagnostic equipment (e.g. MRI), cardiac catheterisation, virtual colonoscopy and PET scans. Many hospitals and clinics that offer services to medical tourists are accredited by international organisations such as the Joint Commission International. Therefore patients have access to the latest treatments and procedures available in the world.
5. Highly Trained Medical Professionals
Doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals working in Malaysia are all highly-trained individuals, many of which have credentials from foreign universities and institutions.
Doctors are fully registered with Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) before being allowed to practice and specialists are registered with the National Specialist Register according to their specialisation.
Our medical professionals adhere to the highest codes of professional conduct and ethics and therefore patients confidentiality and safety assured.
6. Range of Treatments
Served by highly qualified medical practitioners, most of whom have gained international acclaim for their expertise, Malaysia’s hospitals offer a wide range of niche medical specialties. Patients can receive a wide range of treatments depending on their needs. Alternatively patient can contact Passage Asia – Patient Care Management Service Providers to help design a complete package prior to travelling. Examples of their packages:
7. Great Hospitality
Much as Malaysia is well known for its beautiful natural sights and rich cultural history, Malaysians are well praised for the polite and highly personalised service they provide to visitors from all over the world. Our nurses and doctors provide outstanding service with every step of the way and pay close attention to the needs of those under their care, offering help where needed, making special arrangements that benefit their care recipients, and going the distance whenever they can.
8. Excellent Healthcare Quality
Malaysian healthcare also prioritises patient convenience, offering same-day results for health screenings and other checks, while top tier facilities and amenities are provided while waiting for the results. This grants medical travellers sufficient comfort while they wait, and gives them various activities to do in between. They can even venture out to explore nearby attractions before returning in time to find out what is next for their healthcare plan.
9. A Wonderful Tourist Destination
Medical tourists may come to Malaysia for its top-notch and affordable healthcare, but they will also find themselves staying a while longer for its rich diversity as a tourist destination. Whether it is sandy beaches, beautiful hill views, majestic cave formations, or even a stroll through the historical parts of a city, Malaysia has a lot to offer travellers and a wide variety of tastes.
Medical tourism packages offer stays at the finest hotels that are well within the range of a premier hospital and nearby sightseeing attractions, leaving medical travellers spoiled for choice. Coupled with the relatively low cost of goods for most foreign tourists, there is a lot that they can do to pass the time – shopping, street food hunting, beach picnics, nature treks, and more!
Sister Kay McNaught 