Malaysia: an emerging destination for Vietnamese medical tourists

As Malaysia's medical tourism soars, KPJ Penang and Phuoc Loc International have joined forces to bring high-quality services to Vietnamese patients

Fast expanding medical tourism market

Zabidi Haji Abdul Razak, CEO of KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital, told VIR that Malaysia welcomed 1 million medical tourists in 2017, with Vietnam ranking as the seventh. Malaysia provides quality healthcare services that are internationally recognised and accredited. Most of the professional doctors are trained overseas to meet the sophisticated needs of patients.

It is easy for patients and visitors to communicate with health professionals in Malaysia, where English is widely spoken. To top it off, medical costs in Malaysia are about 10 per cent less than in regional peers like Thailand and Singapore, and give the same level of care.

He added that KPJ Penang is starting to receive an increasing number of patients from Vietnam. Thus, the hospital decided to collaborate with Phuoc Loc International (PLI) to promote the Malaysian healthcare system to Vietnamese patients.

Tie-up to promote Malaysian medical tourism

Last weekend, KPJ Penang has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Phuoc Loc International to formally establish a framework of co-operation and facilitate collaboration between the organisations, which will ultimately contribute to the sustainable development of medical tourism between Vietnam and Malaysia.

Zabidi Haji Abdul Razak and Kevin Tran signed the MoU

Under the plan, the two parties will exchange delegations to share experience in medical tourism development, management, and promotion. The parties will encourage medical tourism businesses from the two sides to establish business contacts and will participate in medical tourism fairs as well as exhibitions hosted by one or both parties.

At the same time, they will undertake a study of joint tourism programmes in the fields of advertising, the development of medical tour packages, and promoting health tourism. Kevin Tran said that PLI was chosen by KPJ Penang because of the firm’s good reputation in Vietnam. PLI also has a professional management that could contribute to the success of this collaboration.

The MOU was signed by Zabidi Haji Abdul Razak and Kevin Tran, the CEOs from both sides. It was witnessed by Abdul Hadi Che Man, director of Tourism Malaysia, Faizal Izany Mastor, trade commissioner of Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), and Eric Beh, deputy manager of public relations and marketing of KPJ Penang.

Quality healthcare services combined with convenience

The KPJ Healthcare group has 27 hospitals in Malaysia with four hospitals in Indonesia, Thailand, and Bangladesh. The group is developing six new hospitals in Malaysia, bringing the total number of hospitals to reach over 30 by 2020.

KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital, one of KPJ's top-of-the-line facilities

Among them, KPJ Penang was acknowledged by Joint Commission International (JCI) from the US for its excellent quality of healthcare services, accessibility, and affordability. The hospital offers multi-disciplinary care, including general health screening, cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, otorhinolaryngology (ENT), paediatric and psychiatric services, and much more.

Direct flights between Penang and Ho Chi Minh City by AirAsia will encourage more Vietnamese visitors to visit Penang and the northern region of Malaysia. For international patients, complimentary accommodation and pick-up services from airport-hotel-KPJ Penang will be provided to ensure patient satisfaction and convenience.

KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital is committed to offer the community its state-of-the-art technology and comprehensive medical services. The hospital has a full suite of modern facilities such as accident and emergency, general medicine surgery, intensive care, as well as physiotherapy and rehabilitation units.

International-standard facilities await patients

Opportunities for improving healthcare on horizon

Malaysia is currently ranked among the world’s leading medical tourism and healthcare providers, with high-quality services available at affordable cost. More than 60 per cent of medical tourists coming to Malaysia chose Penang as their destination.

Just from medical tourism, Penang has generated a revenue of about $83 million in 2013. In 2017, Penang’s pearl island was voted as the second most visited site in the world, according to CNN. Coming to Penang, Malaysia, in addition to healthcare services and affordable medical treatment, medical tourists will find a good environment for rejuvenation and recovery.

Healthcare spending among Vietnamese tourists to Malaysia has seen a growth of 86 per cent throughout 2016, amounting to hospital revenues of RM10.8 million ($2.77 million) with oncology and cardiology being the top choice treatments.

KPJ Penang are proud to be partnered with PLI and promise to create genuine experiences for both parties and new economic opportunities for Malaysia and Vietnam, while highlighting medical tourism, education, local culture, and heritage at both regions.

The two sides at the MoU signing ceremony