Over the past decade, Malaysia has gained a reputation as a safe and trusted healthcare travel destination for tourists across differing backgrounds and ages.
This is through unparalleled commitment to having a world-class quality healthcare, easy accessibility and comparatively affordable service offerings.
Malaysia has grown as an increasingly preferred destination for travellers seeking fertility, cardiology, oncology and Hepatitis C-related medical treatments, owing to the experienced medical experts, availability of state-of-the-art technology and high-quality treatment options with good clinical outcomes and seamless end-to-end patient experience.
As the fertility hub of Asia, Malaysia has been an increasingly preferred destination for fertility treatments, experiencing a revenue growth of 67 per cent between 2015 and 2019 from the China market alone, with healthcare travel contributing 125 per cent year-on-year revenue growth from 2017 to 2018.
With advanced treatments such as artificial intelligence technology for fertility viability testing being made available, fertility facilities here report high success rates — 82.9 per cent through transfer of a single good graded euploid blastocyst and 68 per cent in embryo transfers for women above 41 years of age with Preimplantation Genetic Testing.
Furthermore, out of 30 fertility centres worldwide that have the International Reproductive Technology Accreditation Certification, eight are in Malaysia.
Fertility treatments here are also reasonably priced at US$4,000 to US$5,000 a cycle. Patients can expect top-quality care at every phase of their journey, from pre- to post-treatment.
Malaysia's history in cardiology begins in 1960s, marking the beginning of cardiothoracic surgical services in Malaysia. Soon after, the National Heart Association (IJN) was established to expand the country's expertise on cardiovascular diseases through education, research and healthcare policies.
In the 1990s, heart care became available at private healthcare institutions with IJN progressing with world-class breakthroughs in heart care. Since its establishment in 1992, the IJN has treated over four million patients from around the globe.
With an abundance of world-class hospitals with strong reputations in cardiac care, coupled with the best medical expertise, technology and staff, Malaysia is positioned as the cardiology hub of Asia where healthcare travellers can access top quality heart care at competitive prices.
Malaysia is also home to the first hospital outside of the United States to implant the Micra AV pacemaker, an implantable device for the treatment of a slow heart rate via pacing.
The country is also the heart centre in the Asia-Pacific region that was the first to have performed a successful "Bio-absorbable Pulmonary Valve Conduit" implant on three children with congenital heart defects — the fifth, sixth and seventh patients in the world to undergo this surgery.
Malaysia is also gaining international reputation as the Cancer Care Centre of Excellence, emerging as the third most prepared country in the Asia Pacific to battle cancer in a study by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
Malaysia is home to 128 medical and clinical oncologists in public and private sectors who are equipped to cater to demand. Out of 79 Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council member hospitals, more than 30 hospitals focus on multiple types of cancer, including breast, lung, nasopharyngeal, colorectal and lymphoma.
Furthermore, cancer treatments in Malaysia heavily focus on palliative care for end-stage cancer and rehabilitation for cancer survivors. It has access to the latest medical drugs that are not readily available in other parts of Southeast Asia while keeping the treatments affordable.
In response to the World Health Organisation's mission to reduce new viral hepatitis infections by 90 per cent by 2030, Malaysia is paving the way as the Hepatitis C treatment hub of Asia, providing accessible, affordable and efficacious treatment options.
Hepatitis C has affected around 58 million people globally. Many are oblivious of this condition, its symptoms and lack of access to getting the necessary treatment solutions.
If left untreated, it can lead to chronic diseases such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. As such, it is important to test, treat and cure by taking preventive care through premium healthcare screenings.
Malaysia opens its borders today and looks forward to the day where borders the world over will also be fully reopened.
The country is ready to welcome healthcare travellers seeking medical care within a safe and trusted destination to experience Malaysia healthcare.
The writer is CEO of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times