Tung Shin Hospital, Kuala Lumpur

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.

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London Travel Clinic reminds tourists heading to Southeast Asia to have their vaccinations completed at least several months prior to the trip. The reason is that some vaccines are given over a course of several weeks instead of one long sitting.

The clinic advises that common diseases acquired in Southeast Asia are fully preventable with vaccination, as listed below:

1. Typhoid and Hepatitis A

These diseases are transmitted via food and water, and are often acquired from food handlers who have not thoroughly washed their hands while preparing and serving food. Typhoid and Hepatitis A can make you sick for a month, which means that your entire vacation time can be easily ruined by not getting vaccinated before leaving. Both typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations can be given at the same time or separately, but the latter requires booster 6-12 months after it was first administered.

2. Tetanus, Diptheria and Polio

Vaccination for ‘DTP’ is given as one injection, and should be administered once every 10 years. If you need to be vaccinated right away, you may have to endure a sore muscle for the next 24 hours. Injection is intramuscular on top of the arm.

3. Hepatitis B

It is common for travelers to get tattoos as a reminder of their trip. You should consider getting Hepatitis B shots if you plan to get inked on your vacation. Hepatitis B is also acquired through transfer of blood and bodily fluids, so aside from infected syringe, this disease can also be transmitted through indiscriminate close contact with the infected. Vaccination is given in 3 injections over a certain period, but if you need to get it right away, the three shots can be administered a month before you leave.

4. Rabies

Children are more inclined to play with exotic animals and less aware that a friendly play can turn into an aggressive attack. Rabies is transmitted by an infected animal through its bite or scratch. Three injections are given over a period of 21-28 days, and this gives protection of up to 48 hours to the patient before emergency medical intervention is required. Otherwise, unvaccinated travelers will have to get to the hospital within 12 hours after being bitten, a risky situation when traveling to remote places of Southeast Asia where healthcare can be limited.

5. Japanese Encephalitis

There is more to mosquito bites than surface discomfort. Japanese Encephalitis is typically spread via this carrier, which is not a remote possibility when traveling to rural areas. There are two sets of injection given to the traveler, one on the first day, and the second 28 days later. Vaccination for Japanese Encephalitis lasts for two-three years. It would also help to exercise preventive measures like using mosquito nets and repellents when staying in mosquito-prone areas. Untreated, Japanese encephalitis can lead to severe neurological problems and even death.

Your trip deserves to be memorable. Take every precaution to make sure you bring home only good memories. Watch this 5-minute video for travel medicine advice for Southeast Asia.

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In fact, if recent developments are any indication, they may no longer need to leave the country to be as well-rewarded as Filipino healthcare professionals abroad. Because they have made a name for themselves, their talents are actively sought out by patients from all over the world. The latest statistics (2006) says that 250,000 non-residents have availed of medical treatment in the country.

The Medical City – one of the leading hospitals in the Philippines

When measured in US dollars, the cost of living in the Philippines is way lower than that of the United States and other highly developed economies. This translates to more affordable healthcare for those who pay in currencies other than Philippine pesos. Even when the cost of transportation and accommodation are factored in, the total cost of treatment for non-residents is still below than what they would likely spend back in their home country.

For example, coronary bypass surgery is only $25,000 in the Philippines (2006). In the United States, the cost is about $50,000. Knee surgery is around $2,300, while in Singapore and United States, the same operation can cost $3,000 and $8,000 more, respectively.

It is important to note, however, that the quality of healthcare in the Philippines is not the same across the country. In general, the best hospitals in the country are located in the capital cities of the region because this is where the best training can be found. High-performing universities and colleges that specialize in healthcare tend to cluster in urban areas where facilities and technology are easily accessible. As a result, the pool of talent that hospitals can dip into is mainly concentrated in big cities.

Manila, the capital city, is the hub of medical tourism in the country. The country’s top medical schools are here, and there is an existing infrastructure that can support world-class medical treatment. Hospitals in Manila are also more equipped to manage the most challenging cases, so healthcare professionals here are exposed to a broader spectrum of medical problems.

In Central Philippines, Cebu has more up-to-date technologies and facilities compared to other capital cities in the region. Davao in Southern Philippines is where the highly trained doctors and the latest equipment are found. In island tourist destinations like Boracay, the better equipped hospitals are in the mainland (in this case, Malay in Aklan).

In general, private hospitals are more responsive to handle acute medical problems than public ones, but state-sponsored healthcare facilities in the national and regional level are often sufficient for mild cases.

Photo by Jun Acullador

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Hospital in Thailand

Along with India and Singapore, Thailand is Asia’s prime country for medical tourism and it’s growing at a rapid rate. With internationally trained physicians, low cost treatments, and inexpensive hotel rooms, there is no wonder why. It is estimated that around 500,000 tourists arrived in Thailand in 2011 for medical purposes all across the board from cosmetic to cardiac surgeries. This number is much higher than Singapore’s 200,000 because Thailand offers the whole package, from treatment to travel, for a very affordable rate. Majority of the health care services are part of the public sector with around 1,002 hospitals and 9,765 health stations.

It goes without saying that the country’s capital, Bangkok, is the main destination for healthcare considering the convenience and recognition of hospitals. It’s even safe to call Bangkok one of the world’s leader in medical tourism especially with hospitals like Bangkok Hospital, Bumrungrad International, and Phyathai Hospitals Group. Bangkok Hospital is actually catered to medical tourists and has locations throughout the country. Majority of the staff at Bumrungrad International was trained in the US, UK, or Europe. Procedure costs can be easily estimated on their website. Heart Bypass surgery can run anywhere from $27,000 USD to $43,000 USD in Bumrungrad International, while it can easily cost you over $100,000 USD in the United States. Talk about a bargain! On the other hand, Phyathai Hospital Group consists of three hospitals with language interpreters for over 22 languages (besides English)!

Besides the professionalism and knowledge of doctors, another great aspect of Thai healthcare is the comfort. Hospital rooms are designed to make you feel at home. If you look at photos, you can easily mistake them for hotel rooms with their decor, style, and amenities. And I am not joking! See for yourself on Bumrungrad International’s website.

As stated in the Healthcare in Singapore article, it is always best to purchase travel insurance. While healthcare in Thailand may be cheap, it is still cheaper and safer with insurance. If you are going solely for medical treatment, you will be in good hands and do not need to worry. It was recently calculated that Thailand’s medical tourism is growing 16% per year, and that can only be a result from the top quality and expertise of their services.

For more information on Thailand medical tourism, check out the following video:

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Raffles Hospital Lobby

Singapore is one of Asia’s leaders in advanced care, making it a top destination for medical tourism. Its healthcare system is one of the most successful in the world considering that prices are reasonable, service is efficient, and doctors are knowledgeable. It’s estimated that over 200,000 foreign patients each year choose Singapore for medical related issues. A large percent of Singaporean doctors have trained in the United States, which alone boosts medical tourism. Many patients also come to Singapore for alternative medical treatment. With such a large population of Chinese, the market of traditional Chinese medicine is huge. Acupuncture is a popular treatment among foreign patients.

Like most countries, Singapore has both private and public sectors in healthcare. Private institutions and hospitals offer the best efficient service, but can be quite costly. Public sectors are less expensive (usually much less), but efficiency is lacking with long waiting times. There are even polyclinics for less serious situations, but they also have extremely long waiting times. In most dire cases, waiting isn’t an option so insurance is recommended to be able to afford private care. The country has a total of 13 private hospitals, 10 public, and many specialist clinics and polyclinics.

It’s also amazing at how organized Singapore’s system is. You can easily find out how much each and every procedure costs in both sectors by checking out the Ministry of Health’s website. For polyclinic costs, you can check the Polyclinics Singhealth website. Unfortunately, no medical service is offered for free, and Singapore is significantly more expensive than neighboring medical competitors, Thailand and India, but the quality and cleanliness is superb.

In conclusion, Singapore should be your top destination for medical purposes, and shouldn’t be much of a worry if you are only traveling through the country. In 2000, the World Health Organization ranked Singapore the sixth best health system in the world. As mentioned, it is best to purchase travel insurance because you never know what can happen especially in foreign lands. It’s better to have insurance and not use it then to not have it and risk your life at a public hospital or your bank account at a private hospital!

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