Malaysian healthcare takes positions as demand surges in West Asia

Healthcare delivery in the GCC alone is predicted to cost $60bn by 2025 as affluence, lifestyles, population growth, improvements in life expectancy and rising patient expectations are already stretching existing infrastructure and budgets.

Malaysia, with its state-of-the-art hospitals, expertise in diverse specialities and a healthcare environment that promotes recovery and wellness, finds itself ideally placed to emerge as the preferred destination for West Asians looking for faster and easier access to high quality medical care.

Leading private hospitals, diagnostic clinics and wellness centres from Malaysia will attend the third annual Malaysia Services Exhibition (MSE 2010), held at the Dubai International Conventions and Exhibitions Centre from the 13th to the 15th of April 2010, displaying the scale and scope of Malaysian healthcare sector.

MSE 2010, organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) will showcase the world-class capabilities of Malaysian companies specialising in eight service clusters - Professional Services; Oil & Gas; Construction; Information & Communications Technology (ICT); Healthcare; Franchising; Education & Specialised Training, and Financial Services.

"Malaysia started streamlining its health services sector for global competition and health tourism way back in the nineties. Today, we have 229 private hospitals, of which 35 are identified as promoters of health tourism in Malaysia," said Dato Yahaya Abdul Jabar, Malaysian Ambassador to Dubai.

Political stability, multicultural environment, wide choice of speciality hospitals, skilled professionals, friendly staff who can speak different languages, and competitive pricing are the main factors driving health tourism in Malaysia.

"Patients can undergo treatment at a much less cost than they would have incurred in other countries. For example, a cardiac bypass surgery (CABG) in Malaysia would cost around $9,000. Patients can also opt for packages which combines treatment with recuperation in any of our popular tourist destinations," Dato Abdul Jabar said.

Malaysian expertise in the management and delivery of healthcare is internationally acknowledged. A total of six Malaysian healthcare service providers are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI). The the New Jeddah Clinic Hospital and Jeddah Clinic Hospital as well as three hospitals in Indonesia are managed by Malaysian companies.

"Increasing air connectivity, along with the inherent strengths of our healthcare sector, will also encourage more West Asians to seek treatment in Malaysia. MSE 2010 will provide an overview of our expertise and resources in healthcare and wellness as a cross section of the industry will be attending the event," concluded Dato Yahaya Abdul Jabar.

The three-day exhibition will be attended by 150 establishments from Malaysia including 130 service providers, 12 professional associations and eight government agencies. The exhibition will also host a Malaysia Services Forum and extensive networking sessions.