Malaysia Health Tourism - Billion Dollar Baby

MALAYSIA may seem to be a late-comer in promoting its health and medical services as a tourism draw in this region. But, as they say, it is better late than never. In fact, giving the thumbs up for this push is none other than former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is himself a trained medical doctor.

TOWARDS the last few years before he retired as Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was already in his 70s. He had been Prime Minister for more than 20 years. By the time he stepped down in October 2003, he had chalked up 22 years in office.

His schedule in the country and abroad as Prime Minister was nothing less than hectic. Even towards the end of his premiership, he kept going full steam. One would have thought that he would be so tired and worn out at the end of the day. Somehow, he often seemed to have that second wind, that extra zest, that added energy. That vigour."I have never been out of Malaysia for medical treatment. Even for my bypass operation, I had it done in Malaysia even though at that time, the facilities were not as good as they are now. I was well looked after and they did a good job."

As the person responsible for engineering Malaysia's phenomenal economic growth, Dr Mahathir was the country's No.1 salesman. But, he was also the country's best advertisement for health and vitality. Now, at 83, he is still active as Petrolium Nasional Berhad (PETRONAS) adviser and Perdana Leadership Foundation chairman.

Dr Mahathir is in top form, looking younger than most men his age. Indeed, more youthful than those younger than him. He attributes this to good personal health care. "Everything in moderation", that has always been his mantra.

But, he said he owes it to the country's excellent medical services.
"I had my heart operations here, and I have been cared by local doctors and medical staff.
"I have never been out of Malaysia for medical treatment. Even for my first bypass operation in 1989, I had it done in Malaysia even though at that time, the facilities were not as good as they are now. I was well looked after and they did a good job.

Dr Mahathir underwent a successful second coronary bypass operation at the Malaysian Heart Institute (IJN) recently in 2007. Despite some complications post-surgery, he is now doing very well.

The former Prime Minister, himself a trained medical doctor who graduated from the University of Malaya
(Singapore), has always been known to be passionate about promoting Malaysian products -- health and medical services and care included.

As revenue from tourism was (and still is) the second highest after manufacturing in the country, it made perfect sense that Malaysia should offer her world-class medical facilities, to the world. It was during Dr Mahathir's administration that a strategic plan was drawn up to establish Malaysia as a regional hub for excellent health care, capable of providing state-of-the-art medical facilities and services for tourists. The government's estimation was that by the year 2010, Malaysian public hospitals would have the potential of raking in at least RM2 billion a year in health tourism earnings.

There is no let-up in the promotion of health tourism in Malaysia. For Dr Mahathir, going big in health tourism now is the right step to take. But, some things ought to be put in place -- such as more simplified immigration procedures and allowed to stay in the country longer as required for their treatment.

Dr Mahathir is confident that in this age of globalisation, Malaysia can match some of the finest medical centres in the world. Malaysia can also find its niche market in this sector in which Thailand and India are already competitive.

“The model for Malaysia's health tourism package is different from that of its neighbours because the socio-economic, political and population landscape of Malaysia was different from its neighbours.”Dr Mahathir said that as far as facilities are concerned, Malaysia's are just as good as those in these countries.
"But it is the hospitality and the quality of life that we can offer," he offered. These need to be emphasised.
"When people come for treatment, they are not just going to stay in a hotel. They are going to move around. If they are well- treated and the host country is obviously going to welcome them, I think that will provide a difference. Bedside manners need to be cultivated."

The model for Malaysia's health tourism package is different from that of its neighbours because the socio-economic, political and population landscape of Malaysia was different from its neighbours.

"Singapore is totally urban. It is not difficult to provide medical facilities in an urbanised area. Thailand has more rural areas with more people living in these parts. Of course, in those parts, they will not have first-class facilities. But their cities like Bangkok are well-supplied with good medical facilities.

"In Malaysia, although we have people in the rural areas, there is the tradition of giving free medical treatment and this has resulted in people being very conscious of what is known as western medicine. Because of the demand, the government has built facilities, hospitals and trained doctors in order to cater to the needs of the local population.

"In the process, of course, those who are able to afford will not go to government hospitals; they will go to private hospitals and they will pay and that has resulted in the growth of very good private medical facilities which are able to cater not just for Malaysians but also foreigners.

"So we are slightly different from Singapore and Thailand. I think we have certain advantages.
Indeed, Dr Mahathir agrees that there are many advantages in choosing Malaysia for private health and medical requirement. Medical charges and hospital costs here are very competitive and Malaysia medical expertise is also ranked among the best in the world.

"Promoting health tourism is the right direction to take," he said.

Nuraina Samad