Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 1): Malaysia saw a decline in travel healthcare revenue last year to RM800 million from RM1.7 billion reported in the previous year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

In his opening speech during the launch of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint on Monday (Nov 1), the health minister said as Malaysia is entering into endemicity, the nation's key priorities should include the maintenance of high-quality healthcare and safety above all else.

“We need to up the ante by embracing digitalisation of the entire patient journey experience. 

“With this blueprint, Malaysia has begun forging a new frontier to redefine patient experience through a unified and collaborative approach to digitalisation.

“This will allow healthcare providers to improve upon service delivery and reinforce our patients’ peace of mind, especially in Malaysia’s niche offerings such as the Fertility and Cardiology Hubs of Asia and the Cancer Care Centre of Excellence,” he elaborated.

Meanwhile, Khairy highlighted the blueprint is unique and future-facing as it aims to establish Malaysia as a leading travel destination and provide a clear guide to the nation's healthcare value chain and industry.

He added the blueprint will cover five different approaches and is anchored on three strategic pillars — namely Healthcare travel ecosystem, Malaysia healthcare brand and markets.

“Malaysia is en route to establishing destination landmarks as testaments to the country’s strength in healthcare delivery such as the upcoming Flagship Medical Tourism Hospitals.

“This will serve as the benchmark for medical and service excellence as well as strengthen our international recognition in the field of medical tourism.

“Apart from that, the development of the International Retirement Living Programme in partnership with the government is yet another landmark that will showcase Malaysia positively as a destination recognised for healthcare,” he said.

Khairy believes that Malaysia is preparing its healthcare sector to take on a more robust shape from the perspective of treatment services, medical expertise, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, showcasing Malaysia’s testament as a trusted and safe country, particularly in attracting foreign investments.

Edited ByJoyce Goh
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