Last year, Indonesia had accounted for 50 percent of the one million medical travelers visiting Malaysia.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and five Indonesian strategic partners have signed an exclusive partnership agreement program in the field of health tourism.
The institution is keen to adopt a more strategic approach to provide services to visitors from Indonesia arriving in the country to seek medical treatment, Director of MHTC Sherene Azli stated here, Thursday.
"Indonesia has been and continues to be one of the biggest contributors to Malaysias health tourism industry," Azli noted.
The five private companies that have inked the agreement with the institution under the Malaysian Ministry of Health are tourism enterprises Golden Rama Tours and Travel, PT AntaVaya Leisure, health insurance companies PT AdMedika and ImCare 177, as well as CIMB Niaga Bank.
"The partnership will include travel, insurance, and financial services industries," Azli remarked, adding that last year, Indonesia had accounted for 50 percent of the one million medical travelers visiting Malaysia.
"This year, the figure is expected to rise to 600 thousand medical travelers," Azli noted.
Most of the Indonesian patients visiting Malaysia are seeking medical treatments in the fields of cardiology, orthopedics, oncology, fertility treatment, neurology, cosmetic procedures, dental treatments, and physical rehabilitation.
According to Azli, several Indonesians choose Malaysia for undergoing medical treatments, as the locals are part of the larger Malayan family along with Indonesians.
"In addition, the cost of treatment in Malaysia is considered to be much cheaper as compared to other neighboring countries, such as Singapore, with high-quality services," Azli pointed out.
Malaysia has also been regarded as a global Halal hub, so all hospitals in the country offer kosher (Halal) food.
Azli believes that the Halal food service is also one of the reasons for several Indonesian medical travelers visiting Malaysia.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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