The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) has made a significant move to fortify its status as a premier health tourism destination by entering into an exclusive partnership agreement with five strategic partners from Indonesia. This collaboration is designed to elevate the experience for Indonesian visitors seeking medical treatment in Malaysia, showcasing MHTC’s dedication to adopting a more strategic and comprehensive approach to serving this key market.
Sherene Azli, Director of MHTC, underscored the crucial role that Indonesia has consistently played in bolstering Malaysia’s health tourism sector. “Indonesia has always been one of the largest contributors to Malaysia’s health tourism industry, and this partnership further strengthens our commitment to cater to the specific needs of Indonesian medical travelers,” Azli emphasized during a press conference on Thursday.
The partnership involves five prominent Indonesian companies: Golden Rama Tours and Travel, PT AntaVaya Leisure, PT AdMedika, ImCare 177, and CIMB Niaga Bank. These entities, which span the travel, insurance, and financial services sectors, have joined forces with MHTC under the guidance of the Malaysian Ministry of Health. The goal is to create an integrated and seamless service offering that addresses the various needs of medical travelers, from booking their travel and securing insurance to managing their finances during their stay.
“This collaboration is not just about integrating travel, insurance, and financial services; it’s about creating a holistic ecosystem that supports Indonesian medical travelers every step of the way,” Azli remarked. She highlighted that Indonesia accounted for 50 percent of the one million medical travelers who visited Malaysia last year. This figure is projected to grow even further, with expectations of 600,000 Indonesian medical travelers visiting Malaysia this year alone.
Indonesian patients predominantly seek medical services in specialized fields such as cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, fertility treatments, neurology, cosmetic procedures, dental care, and physical rehabilitation. Their preference for Malaysia as a medical tourism destination is driven by several key factors. Cultural and linguistic similarities between the two countries create a comfortable environment for Indonesian patients, as both Malaysians and Indonesians share a common heritage within the larger Malayan family.
In addition, the cost of medical treatments in Malaysia is significantly more affordable compared to neighboring countries like Singapore, without compromising on the quality of care. “The combination of affordability and high-quality medical services makes Malaysia an attractive choice for many Indonesians,” Azli pointed out.
Another compelling factor for Indonesian medical tourists is the availability of Halal food in all Malaysian hospitals, which aligns with Malaysia’s reputation as a global Halal hub. This ensures that Indonesian travelers can adhere to their dietary restrictions, which is an important consideration for many.
Azli expressed confidence that these factors, coupled with Malaysia’s commitment to providing cost-effective, high-quality medical care, will continue to draw an increasing number of Indonesian medical travelers. The newly established partnership is expected to further entrench Malaysia’s position as a leading destination for health tourism, particularly for the Indonesian market.
This collaboration represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to strengthen Malaysia’s health tourism sector, ensuring that it remains competitive and attractive to international visitors, especially those from Indonesia. Through this partnership, MHTC and its Indonesian counterparts are poised to deliver a more tailored and supportive experience for medical travelers, ultimately contributing to the sustained growth and success of Malaysia’s health tourism industry.
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