Malaysia’s healthcare system is an efficient and comprehensive one, and is divided into two sectors: the public sector under the government’s Ministry of Health (the universal healthcare system) and a private healthcare system. The medical services, as well as the facilities of the well-equipped hospitals throughout the country, are at par with some of the best offered by fully-developed nations; the cost of these medical services and the use of facilities are also lower in Malaysia compared to other developed countries.
Healthcare in Malaysia has undergone a dramatic improvement over the years. In pre-colonial times, medical issues and illnesses were mostly dealt with by turning to traditional remedies which were used by the Chinese, the Malays, and the indigenous tribes. Western medical practices were brought to the country along with colonialism; as the country gained independence in 1957, the medical care system that was brought by and put into effect by British rule has gradually been transformed to the efficient healthcare system of today.
The Malaysian government is dedicated to provide top-notch healthcare services not only to the citizens, but also to emigrants, tourists, and visitors who come to this country. Continuous improvement of the medical facilities and modernization of the healthcare system are priorities in the quest to provide even better healthcare to citizens, visitors, and tourists of Malaysia. There are numerous medical schools in the country, and doctors are generally required to render three years of service in public hospitals to ensure that the medical needs of the general population are adequately met. The government also encourages foreign physicians to share their knowledge and expertise in Malaysia.
Medical Tourism
Malaysia is one of the top destinations in the world for medical tourism, not only because of the lower costs compared to getting the procedures and treatments done in other countries, but also because of the excellent quality of the services and facilities found in the country’s hospitals. State-of-the-art medical facilities are combined with top notch medical expertise from doctors and medical practitioners who have earned their medical degrees (and have gained extensive experience) from the best medical schools and hospitals in the US, and from other renowned medical schools elsewhere in the world.
Aside from the medical treatments and procedures, medical tourism also includes accommodation provisions and options for both the patients and their companions to ensure that their stay in Malaysia will not only answer healthcare concerns, but will also give visitors a chance to experience even a little bit of Malaysian hospitality.
Photo by Tianyake
