Friday May 11, 2012
Medical tourism hits record 30% growth per year
By LIM WEY WEN
wwen@thestar.com.my
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's medical tourism industry has hit record levels with a more than 30% growth recorded every year for the past few years.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said revenue collected from medical tourism and the number of medical travellers have grown for more than 30% for the past three years.
“Last year alone we received about RM511.2mil from foreign patients compared to RM378.9mil in 2010.
“This is indeed wonderful news for the country and it is also very heartening to know that many foreigners have acknowledged the quality of our healthcare industry and put their trust in our healthcare providers,” he said at the launch of the Beverly-Wilshire Medical Centre and Beverly-Wilshire Dental Specialist Centre here.
Liow said that previously the demand for cosmetic, aesthetic and cosmetic dental services had not been adequately met by local healthcare providers.
This has resulted in many who seek such treatment overseas.
“Some have even gone to seek cosmetic surgery at unlicensed centres overseas, which have resulted in unsatisfactory, dangerous and even life-threatening complications,” he added.
Liow also encouraged private healthcare providers to constantly strive to become quality healthcare providers by attaining internationally recognised accreditation, especially from the Malaysian society for Quality in Health (MSQH) and Joint Commission International (JCI).
The Beverly-Wilshire Medical Centre and Dental Specialist Centre, which began operations in January, focuses on aesthetic, cosmetic surgery and healthy aging as well as dental services.
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