Dear Partners, Stakeholders and all,
Q1 & Q2 of 2024 have been truly exciting for all of us in Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and the healthcare travel industry in Malaysia, especially when we witnessed an evident growth of 18% in HT (Healthcare Travellers) revenue and 14% in HT volume in Q1 2024 compared with those in Q1 2023. As we navigated through these two quarters, I am thrilled to share some remarkable milestones and updates in Q2 from MHTC. Our collective efforts was driving significant advancements in medical tourism and reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a premier global healthcare destination.
In June, we proudly signed strategic Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Qualitas Health and forged strategic partnership with Share Trip Ltd and Be Fresh Ltd.. These partnerships marked a pivotal step in our mission to elevate Malaysia medical tourism. Qualitas Health’s expansion into Bangladesh, with its new clinic in Dhaka, would provide Bangladeshi patients with direct access to Malaysia’s renowned healthcare facilities. Collaborations with Share Trip Ltd and Be Fresh Ltd would integrate healthcare packages into their platforms, amplifying our outreach and providing more seamless access to our world-class services.
Our recent visit to Bangladesh was further enriched by a courtesy visit to the High Commission of Malaysia in Dhaka, where we engaged in meaningful discussions with Her Excellency Haznah Md Hashim. This visit notably emphasized our commitment to strengthening healthcare tourism ties between Malaysia and Bangladesh.
In Indonesia, MHTC made significant strides with the successful activation of the MH Expo Bandung 2024 and the Malaysia Healthcare Expo Surabaya x IHH Healthcare. These events showcased Malaysia’s medical excellence and innovation to Indonesian audiences, reinforcing our position as a leading healthcare provider in the region. Our city tours through Batam, Jakarta, Pekan Baru, and Medan also provided valuable insights and opportunities for further collaboration
Our outreach extended to Singapore with the successful Go Malaysia Fair. This event perfectly showcased Malaysia’s exceptional healthcare services, garnering enthusiastic interest from Singaporean attendees. We are grateful to the participating hospitals for their invaluable contributions, which played a crucial role in the event’s success.
Our commitment to enhancing patient care was evident in our recent activities in Sabah, where we visited leading hospitals and engaged with Sabah Tourism. The discussions were set to integrate Sabah’s healthcare services with its vibrant cultural heritage, creating a unique and healing experience for international patients.
In our ongoing efforts to promote healthcare and well-being, we joined forces with ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital for International Scoliosis Awareness Month, where ALTY offered free screenings and accessibility improvements at KLIA. On top of that, ALTY donated two orthopaedics wheelchairs to MHTC MCL respectively in KLIA 1 and KLIA 2, enhancing accessibility for arriving passengers.
MHTC took a stand against corruption in May 2024, and participated in the Integrity Pledge Program with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). That reflected our dedication to ethical practices and community wellness. By taking the Integrity Pledge, MHTC reaffirmed its dedication to a workplace built on transparency, accountability, and a steadfast zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.
Last but not least, our EMH Stories video project continued to highlight inspiring stories from Malaysia’s healthcare sector, including a feature on Dr. Haris Abdul Rahman from Subang Jaya Medical Centre, showcasing the exceptional expertise and dedication of our medical professionals.
Thank you all for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for medical tourism and healthcare excellence.
Together with our member hospitals, namely KPJ Healthcare Bhd, Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC), Regency Specialist Hospital, Sunway Medical Centre Penang and Optimax Eye Specialist, we conducted a successful event Go Malaysia Fair in Singapore. The event showcased the exceptional healthcare services offered by Malaysia to Singaporean audience, who showed overwhelming interest and gave positive feedback, reaffirmed Malaysia’s position as a choice medical tourism destination. We look forward to welcoming more patients to experience world-class healthcare in our country.
MHTC being the pioneer of bringing healthcare expo (MHX) to Indonesia since 2012 and throughout the years, kicked off 2024’s very first MHX in Bandung, Indonesia. Strategically partnered with bank bjb, MHX Bandung showcased a wide range of healthcare packages from more than 14 member hospitals for the visitors to explore treatment options, engage with healthcare providers, and learn about the latest medical advancements.
IHH Healthcare Malaysia together with MHTC have successfully carried out Malaysia Healthcare Expo Surabaya, a wonderful showcase of IHH Healthcare Malaysia’s medical excellence and quality patient care options to our Indonesian visitors. Spanned across four exciting days, the expo not only highlighted healthcare innovations, treatments and services; insightful discussions and impactful presentations were held to add depth to Malaysia Healthcare Expo Surabaya 2024, and made it an exceptional platform for fostering international healthcare collaboration and excellence.
MHTC recently embarked on a media tour of Indonesia to augment Malaysia’s excellent healthcare as a good option. Here’s a quick update on their recent media engagements:
MHTC is excited to announce significant progress in strengthening ties with Indonesia: our recent initiatives were focused on promoting Malaysia as a premier healthcare destination for Indonesian patients.
Recent activities included courtesy visits to the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta, the Consulate General in Medan, and the Consulate General in Pekanbaru. These engagements provided opportunities to discuss strategic partnerships, explore collaboration avenues, and promote Malaysia’s healthcare offerings.
Furthermore, MHTC has initiated dialogue with regional government authorities, such as the Regional Secretary of Batam, to understand local needs and explore potential collaborations.
These concerted efforts reinforced MHTC’s commitment to fostering a robust healthcare ecosystem between Malaysia and Indonesia, ultimately benefiting patients seeking world-class medical care.
In June, MHTC inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Qualitas Healthcare Bangladesh, signed by MHTC CEO Dr. Mohamed Ali and Chief Medical Officer of Qualitas Health Malaysia and Country Head of Qualitas Health Bangladesh Dr. Ramon Varughese.
As this strategic alliance aimed to create an additional channel for attracting healthcare tourists from Bangladesh to Malaysia, positioning Malaysia as a preferred and trusted medical tourism destination for Bangladeshi patients to experience high-quality, comprehensive and affordable healthcare services.
While in Dhaka in June, MHTC has forged a strategic partnership with ShareTrip and Be Fresh Limited to enhance medical tourism services for Bangladeshi patients seeking healthcare in Malaysia. Share Trip Ltd, Bangladesh’s leading online travel platform, and Be Fresh Ltd, an experienced travel agent, have joined forces with MHTC to integrate healthcare packages into their online booking systems.
This initiative aimed to actively promote Malaysia as a top-tier healthcare destination across various digital and physical platforms. Both companies will provide valuable feedback and insights on market trends, helping MHTC enhance its medical tourism promotion strategies.
Building on the momentum of our valuable visit to Bangladesh, MHTC paid a courtesy visit to the High Commission of Malaysia in Dhaka and had the honour of meeting with Her Excellency Haznah Md Hashim, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Bangladesh.
This courtesy meeting was profoundly significant in advancing healthcare tourism ties and collaboration between Bangladesh and Malaysia.
Encountering potential medical tourism facilitators in Bangladesh, MHTC had the privilege of engaging with GD Assist, a subsidiary of Green Delta Insurance PLC, providing comprehensive healthcare solutions for travellers seeking medical treatment abroad.
It was a pleasure for us to meet Ms. Farzanah Chowdhury, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Green Delta Insurance Company Limited, and Mr Syed Moinuddin Ahmed, Managing Director of GD Assist, in this significant encounter.
In MHTC recent visit to Sabah in July, the delegation which was led by CEO Dr. Mohamed Ali, toured the state’s leading healthcare facilities, namely KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital Kota Kinabalu and SabahCare Fertility Centre.
MHTC delegation gained valuable insights into the diverse range of medical services offered in Sabah, on top of their cutting-edge technology, world-class facilities and dedicated team of medical professionals, all ready to attend to domestic and international patients.
The MHTC team engaged with influential stakeholders Dato’ Redonah Bahanda, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, at the Chief Minister’s Department of Sabah, and CEO Julinus Jimit of the Sabah Tourism Board, to explore the avenues and delve into strategies for advancing medical tourism, focusing on methods to blend Sabah’s rich cultural offerings with top-tier medical services to create a distinctive and holistic experience for international patients.
Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) won a series of the most coveted global and regional healthcare awards recently, including the Frost & Sullivan Awards 2024, GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific Awards 2024, and Healthcare Asia Awards 2024, carving a niche for itself as a leading multidisciplinary tertiary hospital in Malaysia and the region. These awards highlight SJMC’s innovative approach to medical care, its pioneering use of cutting-edge technologies, and commitment to community giveback.
Bryan Lin, Chief Executive Officer of SJMC, shared his enthusiasm about the organisation’s global recognition in healthcare, stating, “These accolades are proof of our pioneering efforts in the medical field, which demonstrate our dedication to elevating patient care. By utilising advanced technology, implementing world-class practices, and offering over 260 specialised medical services, we continuously innovate and serve. We bring together around 1,600 healthcare professionals with the right balance of expertise. I am immensely proud of our team’s dedication to excellence, which firmly establishes us as a healthcare leader in the region.”
Commitment to Excellence and Innovation
At the Frost & Sullivan Awards 2024, SJMC continued its winning streak as the “Best Hospital Company of the Year in Malaysia” for the fourth consecutive year, making it the first to be recognised continuously with this prestigious accolade. This honour recognised the hospital’s innovative approaches to addressing nursing shortages, enhancing workflows, and maintaining a strong market presence that ensures high patient retention and strong referrals. A key innovation highlighted this year is the introduction of SeniorConnect, Malaysia’s first remote patient monitoring system, which exemplifies SJMC’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance patient care and safety.
This innovation also earned SJMC the first “GlobalHealth MedTech Awards 2024 for Excellence in Digital Health”, which signifies the hospital’s leadership in digital health solutions like telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and AI-powered diagnostics.
Global Recognition in Healthcare
SJMC’s achievements at the GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific Awards 2024 include five notable wins showcasing the hospital’s leadership role in healthcare innovation. Noteworthy awards included “Best Hospital of the Year in the Asia Pacific” for the third time, highlighting SJMC’s numerous medical firsts, including pioneering over 900 successful bone marrow transplants and introducing Malaysia’s first daycare robotic-assisted total knee and hip replacement service.
The awards further honour SJMC’s person-centred care approach as “Multi-Disciplinary Oncology Service Provider of the Year in Asia Pacific,” a recognition of its comprehensive oncology services accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) as the First Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Oncology Services in Asia Pacific.
The hospital also took home the “Advanced Genetic Centre Provider of the Year” award for advanced laboratory solutions, including the introduction of Express Next Generation Sequencing for solid tumours and liquid biopsies, a first in Southeast Asia. In the “Diabetes Service Provider of the Year” category, they responded to Malaysia’s increasing diabetes rates by implementing Continuous Glucose Monitoring technology, enhancing diabetes management.
Social Impact and Community Initiatives
SJMC’s win for “CSR Service of the Year” at the GlobalHealth Asia-Pacific Awards 2024 reflects its substantial social initiatives, which align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #3 on Good Health and Well-Being.
Notable among these is the Global Surgery Initiative (GSI), the first-of-its-kind public-private partnership in Malaysia with the Malaysian Society of Anaesthesiologists, supported by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, which delivered critical surgical care to over 50 underserved patients in rural Sarawak. Additionally, the “If Not Now, When? #endcervicalcancer” campaign significantly impacted by providing over 300 women with complimentary HPV screening kits, and the Nurse Quest Programme engaged over 80 senior high school students in exploring nursing careers.
SJMC’s community initiatives received further recognition at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2024, where they received the “ESG Programme of the Year—Malaysia” for its deep commitment to healthcare sustainability, which champions initiatives such as GSI, the “If Not Now, When? #endcervicalcancer” campaign and the Nurse Quest Programme. Each of these initiatives echoes SJMC’s dedication to community engagement and healthcare excellence, demonstrating a unified effort towards enhancing public health and sustainability.
Recognised as a flagship medical tourism hospital by the Malaysian Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and fully endorsed by the Malaysian Ministry of Health, SJMC remains at the forefront of the healthcare industry.
Bryan Lin reiterated the significance of these awards, “These accolades are affirmations of our journey towards world-class healthcare excellence. We are committed to continuing our mission of providing innovative, high quality and compassionate medical care to our patients.” SJMC’s status as a top healthcare provider was further solidified by its inclusion as one of the top three Best World Hospitals in Malaysia in the Newsweek Best World Hospitals 2024 list.
Source: The Star, Malaysian Business, MSN and Vulcan Post
Chief Executive Officer,
Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)
National Heart Institute (IJN) has achieved another milestone by becoming the first in Southeast Asia to successfully implant a pioneering extravascular implantable defibrillator (ICD) on Thursday (June 27).
The Aurora Extravascular Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (EV-ICD), a first-of-its-kind device developed by Medtronic, provides hope for patients vulnerable to sudden cardiac arrests caused by abnormally fast heart rhythms.
In a statement on Thursday (June 27), IJN announced that the inaugural Aurora EV-ICD implant procedure was conducted by Datuk Dr Azlan Hussin, Clinical Director of Electrophysiology and Implantable Devices. The patient is currently recovering as expected.
“The Aurora EV-ICD system is designed to continuously monitor the heart’s rhythm and deliver a precisely timed electric shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm when necessary in patients at risk for sudden cardiac deaths,” the statement read.
In addition to delivering life-saving defibrillation and anti-tachycardia pacing in a single implantable system, EV-ICD bypasses the traditional manner of ICD implantation, as it is implanted outside of the circulatory system, said the statement.
This unique feature provides advantages and offers an alternative option to selected patients who require an ICD but encounter barriers to conventional implantation methods.
Dr Azlan explained that this novel solution is an alternative to traditional defibrillator implantation techniques.
“Conventional ICDs usually have their leads run through the veins directly into the heart. However, EV-ICD has its lead positioned outside the heart and veins.
“This eliminates the risk of long-term complications we see with transvenous leads, such as blood infections.
“It also overcomes the challenges of vascular blockages preventing lead placement for selected patients who require the protection of an ICD, yet need to preserve vascular integrity,” said Dr Azlan.
IJN stated that the device is integrated with Medtronic’s CareLink network, which enables healthcare providers to remotely monitor patients’ heart conditions and detect possible issues and complications from the onset.
“In a published study involving 356 patients at 46 hospitals worldwide, EV-ICD was shown to have a defibrillation success rate of 98.7%. The study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, also found that the device met safety goals by having no major system or procedural complications six months after the implant,” it said.
Meanwhile, IJN chief executive officer Datuk Dr Aizai Azan Abdul Rahim said the institute has always been at the forefront of medical innovation, and the Aurora EV-ICD is a testament to that legacy.
“Today’s achievement further underscores the relentless commitment of our entire team to push the boundaries of what is possible,” he said.
ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital and MHTC together added more significance to the International Scoliosis Awareness Month with a collaborated activation of Screen & Fly at KLIA1 which ALTY has provided complimentary posture screenings to arriving travellers.The partnership was also commemorated by the contribution of wheelchairs to KLIA 1 and KLIA 2 to further ease of mobility of patients arriving in Malaysia.
The event was attended by key persons from both organizations, including Dr. Mohamed Ali and Dr. Vicknesh from MHTC, and ALTY Chairman Assoc. Prof. (C) Dr. Ruslan Nazaruddin Simanjuntak and CEO ALTY Dr. Izzhar Putra.
We were thrilled to join forces with Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara and ALPS Medical to offer free health screenings at the KLIA Immigration Office’s Open Day. It was a fantastic opportunity to give back to the community and promote wellness.
A big thank you to everyone who took time to visit us at KLIA2 for your check-ups.
MHTC participated in the Integrity Pledge Program, organized in partnership with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). This program was designed to equip MHTC employees with the knowledge and tools to make ethical decisions and prevent corruption.
Our team gained invaluable insights from MACC experts, strengthening our commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity. This initiative aligned perfectly with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani Economy, which set an ambitious goal of placing Malaysia among the top 25 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index within the next decade.
By taking the Integrity Pledge, MHTC reaffirmed its dedication to a workplace built on transparency, accountability, and a steadfast zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.
MHTC expressed our heartfelt appreciation to all guests who graced our Raya Open House. It was a pleasure to share the spirit of Hari Raya with such a wonderful companies—we had good food and laughter amidst exchanging great ideas to make medical tourism work better for all of us in the industry, and not forgetting to ask for forgiveness if there were wrongdoings.
The EMH Stories video project is a special video series by Malaysia Healthcare, aiming to share inspiring stories from Malaysia’s healthcare travel sector. Our goals are to showcase expertise, enhance reputation, and increase brand awareness. The series covers Faces of MH, Success Stories, Breakthroughs, and Patient Stories. We plan to share these stories widely through social media, PR articles, events, EDM, and digital channels to reach our audience effectively.
For the second EMH Video, the team has successfully conducted an interview with a specialist from Subang Jaya Medical Centre. In this episode, we walked you through the journey of Dr. Haris, a hematologist from Subang Jaya Medical Centre, who sees the hope of life in every drop.
Watch the video by clicking here, and don’t forget to like and share it with others. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories!
