Malaysia

While most Asia-bound health travelers head to India or Thailand for treatment, Malaysia used to be the international medical community's best-kept secret—but not anymore. In 2005, 230,000 medical travelers sought treatment in Malaysia, and the numbers are growing. Why? Because the country's facilities and expertise are on par with those in India and Thailand, and sometimes the costs are even lower, particularly for the more elaborate cardiovascular and orthopedic procedures. A comparative skip from neighboring Singapore, Malaysia offers excellent facilities and care, with prices 30–50 percent lower. In fact, as their cost of living rises, Singaporeans are increasingly heading to Malaysia for less expensive treatments.

At least a dozen of Malaysia's 49 private hospitals now serve international patients. Because Malaysia was a long-time British colony until 1957, Western culture is ingrained throughout the country. English is universally and comfortably spoken. Tourist attractions abound, particularly in the squeaky-clean capital of Kuala Lumpur and on the island of Penang, a favorite international beach resort and a medical travel center in its own right.

For those who wish to research Malaysia further, two excellent Web sites provide ample data and easy searching. First check out the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia Web site, www.hospitals-malaysia.org. There you'll be able to search by region for all accredited hospitals; within each hospital, drill down to find individual physician’s credentials.

At the Malaysia Healthcare Web site, www.malaysiahealthcare.com, you can use the drop-down menus to access the procedure that interests you, and then read about an array of comparative packages offered by the various treatment centers. The site also carries animated tutorials that are easy to understand and impressively presented.

While getting treatment, many international patients take advantage of the exceptional, thorough, and inexpensive physicals offered by most Malaysian private hospitals. A dazzling array of tests and exams, including blood work, bone density scan, chest x-ray, and treadmill stress testing can be had for around $500. Malaysian hospitals were the creators of "well-man" and "well-woman" packages: extensive, low-cost physicals and tests promoting preventive care. Packages include pre-employment, executive screening, maternity, and more. Health travelers can also choose from a wide array of diagnostic packages, including heart, stroke, cancer, and bone scan.

At a Glance

•   Language   Malay (English widely spoken)
•   Time Zone   GMT +8
•   Country Dialing Code   60
•   Electricity   240V, plug type D
•   Currency   Ringgits
•   Recommended Immunizations   Hepatitis A, boosters for Typhoid and Polio
•   Treatment Specialties   Blood/Marrow Transplant, Cardiovascular, Cosmetic, Dental, Fertility/Reproductive Health, Gastroenterology, Health Screening, General Surgery, Ophthalmology, Organ Transplant, Orthopedics
•   JCI-Accredited Hospitals   Institut Jantung Negara (National Heart Institute); Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur; Penang Adventist Hospital; Prince Court Medical Center; Sime Darby Medical Center Subang Jaya
•   Standards and Accreditation   Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM), Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH); all private medical centers must be approved and licensed by the Malaysia Ministry of Health

 

Patients Beyond Borders: Everybody's Guide to Affordable, World-Class Medical Travel The world's bestselling guide to the most popular international hospitals and clinics, specialty treatments and procedures, accommodations, and more. Hundreds of listings, and helpful advice to ensure your successful medical journey. Learn more... "A must-read for those considering medical tourism." —ABC News

 

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