Personalised treatment: A foreign customer getting treatment at a wellness clinic in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Every few months, Indonesian bank executive Yunita Theresia would fly to Penang from Surabaya for her parents' medical appointments.
They would spend about a week here for her father's eye check following a cataract surgery while her mother seeks treatment for an autoimmune disease.
"We first came last year based on recommendations by friends. We wanted a second opinion from the doctors here," she said.
Yunita, 36, said that doctors in Indonesia had earlier suspected that her mother was stricken by cancer.
"But medical specialists in Penang ran some tests and found otherwise.
"Since then, this is our fifth time here for follow-ups at a private hospital," she said, adding that they would return in six months for further checks.
As for Indonesian businessman Iwan Santoso, he brought his wife and 87-year-old mother for a medical check-up.
"Although it is a bit costlier compared to the medical services in Indonesia due to the flight and accommodation costs, it is always cleaner and better here," he said.
He said that he preferred Penang over other cities for medical treatment due to the lifestyle, language and food here which suited his family.
"Usually, we would stay here for a week. Besides the medical treatment, we want to enjoy the food and the place," said Iwan, 47.
According to Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), Malaysia's medical tourism sector recorded a revenue of RM1.15bil in the first half of this year.
The council also told Bernama that Malaysia saw 584,468 health tourist arrivals during these first six months.
And based on past numbers, the council said that Indonesia remained the largest market for the country’s medical tourism, accounting for 64.9% of the total number of medical tourists.
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The MHTC report stated that Penang contributed about half of Malaysia's RM1.9bil revenue from medical tourism last year.Penang tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai attributed this to factors such as language, proximity, affordable medical services, and better air connectivity.
"As of August, there are 65 direct flights per week between Indonesia and Penang; 32 flights from Medan, 25 from Jakarta, three from Surabaya, and five from Bandar Aceh," he said.
Wong pointed out that the Indonesians had few language barriers as Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia were quite similar.
"Furthermore, Chinese Indonesians from Medan speak the same Hokkien dialect as in Penang," he said.
He said that the common treatment sought by these medical tourists involved orthopaedic, gastroenterology and cardiology, adding that many of them would come for general health screening as well.
Wong said the economic impact of medical tourism had extended to other areas such as air travel, accommodation, logistics, and dining, besides entertainment, shopping and other tourist attractions.
"According to an analysis by TA Securities, the Malaysian medical tourism sector’s revenue target of RM2.5bil in 2024 is expected to hit about RM9.6bil in economic spillover for related industries such as tourism, transportation, lodging and dining," he said.
Penang Medical Practitioners' Society past president Datuk Dr Tan Kah Keong said Penang, in particular, had seen good medical tourism business after the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Over the years, we have established ourselves as a centre of medical excellence with the latest technology at an affordable cost.
"The costs are cheaper here than in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur," said Dr Tan, who is a physician and nephrologist.
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Indonesians seeking medical treatment in Penang are frequently patronising the pharmacies in Pulau Tikus as well.
"Some of the brands are not sold in Indonesia and even if they are, we are sceptical of their authenticity over there.
"Through a reputable pharmacy in Penang, we are assured of getting the real deal," said Yunita.
Along a 400m stretch in Pulau Tikus, which is a suburb ringed by four private hospitals, there are eight pharmacies plus other shops selling orthopaedic and geriatric support equipment, hearing aids and health supplements.
Pharmacy supervisor Whitney Lee said Indonesians made up about 75% of her customers.
"After seeing the doctors at the hospitals here, they would come over with the prescriptions. They would also seek recommendations on supplements.
"Some will stock up for between six months to a year. Those who trust our supplies are willing to spend huge sums of money," she added.
