Why Malaysia can become no.1 Medical Tourism destination?

Malaysia Health care and Medical Tourism Industry.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Malaysia Health care overview

--------------------------------------------------------------- 

 

One of Asia's economic powerhouses and most popular tourist destinations, Malaysia is using variety of techniques to re-brand the nation and make it medical tourism hub by offering best infrastructure, top of its class medical treatment through renowned doctors and equipments, value added hospitality with special rates, spectacular hotels, beautiful locations and a reputation for professionalism and flair.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Malaysia Boleh ( means Malaysia can do it.)

---------------------------------------------------------------

'Malaysia Boleh'- a slogan that has encouraged Malaysians to do almost anything possible, and now they are keen to make Malaysia a top medical tourism destination in the world. This is the country where all the agencies are actively promoting medical tourism. Government of Malaysia - Ministry of Health is giving ground breaking incentives to health care providers and at the same time setting and facilitating central agencies like Malaysian Healthcare Travel Council, an advisory committee chaired by Minister for Health and overseeing many other health care related associations. Private Hospitals and other providers are actively promoting and participating in discussions and dialogue about medical tourism. Facilitators are implementing and adding values to make patient's treatment safer, warm, enjoyable and best in the world. Everyone in Malaysian health care industry is excited and wants to implement more value added services. They are like a family, laughing at tough situations together and solving big problems together. We heard views and plans from Malaysia Ministry of Health, private and public hospital CEOs, business development executives, healthcare travel facilitators and professors. Top leaders of Malaysian Healthcare industry were present at one recent Asia Business Forun conference in Kuala Lumpur.

Here are the highlights of the IWHTA supported, 'Service excellence and sustainability in Malaysian medical tourism and travel Conference' that took place on March 28 - 29,2010 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Mr Naresh Jadeja on Donate A Surgery-An innovative marketing strategy for MT.

---------------------------------------------------------------

President of IWHTA did presentation on IWHTA's core value based service initiative, 'Donate a Surgery-An innovative marketing strategy'. It was first time in the world that this topic was presented as an innovative marketing strategy to spread most effective word of mouth publicity. Projections and rewards were presented which would make it one of the best effective marketing strategies to enter in US market. It received a great response. Group hospitals wanted to have Malaysia specific project and expressed their desire to be a part of it.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Prof. Dr. Badaruddin Mohamed on 

Overview of Medical Tourism in Asia 

---------------------------------------------------------------

Deputy Dean at the Institute of post graduate studies, University Sains Malaysia gave an overview of the medical tourism in Asia and discussed pro and cons of medical tourism and key to success. He shared his expertise on the impact of healthcare globalization has on patients, providers, payers and government.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Mr Amir Firdaus on Attracting International Patients through world class medical treatments.
---------------------------------------------------------------

CEO of Gleneagles Hospital KL, Mr. Amir, did presentation on attracting international patients through world class medical services, and who else can talk more on this topic other then Dynamic CEO of one of the top hospitals in KL? In a separate issue I will talk about my personnel visit to this hospital and how Ritz Carlton hospitality culture is becoming a part of this hospital. It is a benchmark hospital where you will see everyone, from door man to CEO adding value and providing warm and cozy atmosphere for patients.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Damien Duhamel on Benchmarking Malaysia's Health Tourism Vs. Singapore and Thailand.
---------------------------------------------------------------


Managing Director Asia, Solidiance presented ‘Benchmarking Malaysia’s health tourism destination Vs. Singapore and Thailand.’ He shared his experience while advising Singapore tourism board and MOH on medical tourism strategy. He applied patient’s mind set of pull factors for Medical Tourism and insist on focusing developing markets in Pakistan, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Lee Moon Keen on Medical Challenges in Health Tourism
---------------------------------------------------------------
Director for Alpha Specialist Centre applied his experience in identifying medical challenges in health tourism. She discussed problems while dealing with international patients in terms of

1. Information gap,
2. Social History,
3. Time constraints and long term follow up,
4. Cultural issues,
5. Need of soft skill training,
6. Cultural sensitivities and Religious beliefs.
One example of cultural miss communication and medico legal implication was discussed which is published as a book. ('The spirit catches you and you fall down.')

---------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. How Kim Chuan on Implementing flexible plans for small and medium dental clinics.
---------------------------------------------------------------

President-Elect of Malaysian Dental Association presented possibilities of dental tourism and identified Korea and china as major upcoming dental tourism market for Malaysia. Malaysia has 39% international patients coming from Australia and majority of those sought dental implant treatment followed by crown-bridge, and orthodontics treatments. He very well represented small and medium dental clinics and its competitive approaches.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Robert P. Jalleh on Medical Tourism and Ambulatory Care Center
---------------------------------------------------------------

Chairman of Alpha Specialist Center presented importance of Ambulatory care centers and need to have a shift of patient's mind-set. External and internal implications of the medical tourism eco system were presented and obstacles in health insurance system were discussed.

----------------------------------------
Dr. Lee Soon Boon on Exploring Medical Tourism Market for Dental Tourism.
----------------------------------------
President of Malaysian Dental Association spoke on exploring medical tourism market for dental tourism. As a member of Malaysian Healthcare Travel Council he expressed desire to have another member from dental sector to better represent dental tourism scope and opportunities. He talked about 6 phenomenon of dental tourism.



---------------------------------------------------------------
Dr Choong Yee Foone D on Leveraging on Eye Health care
---------------------------------------------------------------

Medical Director for International Specialist Eye Center Malaysia discussed opportunities and infrastructure availability in Malaysia for eye healthcare. He insists on leveraging cost advantage and same quality outcomes. Also availability of new technology is greatly demanded in international patients. He discussed how word of mouth can give a brand image to your institution.


---------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Ahmad Nasirrudin Harun on Tapping into the potential of Health care market and Medical Tourist.
---------------------------------------------------------------

CEO of KPJ Ipoh Hospital, discussed drivers for developing medical tourism program. He emphasize on creating effective operational processes and measuring operational performances. His light approach to this presentation was a refreshing experience.





---------------------------------------------------------------
Mr Kuljit Singh on Exploring patients market for EMT
---------------------------------------------------------------
Consultant Surgeon for Price Court Medical Center talked about exploring patient market for EMT. He short listed few procedures like - diving related problems, sleep disorders etc and explained why one should avoid some airway surgeries which need long observation time and could be life threatening at some point.
---------------------------------------------------------------