15-Dec-16 A number of changes that are afoot in Japan as the country seeks to enhance its medical tourism footprint by helping patients further afield. The government announced a push towards medical commercialisation in 2010, and this prompted Japanese companies and hospitals to open 19 medical services in 13 countries since then. [image: Aizawa Healthcare International Ltd]

11-Dec-16 As more patients in Malaysia opt for public hospitals, patient volume in private hospitals has dropped 20-30%. With medical inflation expected to be 15% in 2017, private hospitals must find ways of coping with falling revenue. Charges will go up when private hospitals can no longer contain their costs within reasonable limits. [image: The Star]

09-Dec-16 A HKD6.3 bn (USD812 mn) private hospital to be run by the Chinese University - envisioned as Hong Kong's first not-for-profit and self-financed teaching hospital - will offer 70% of its services in fixed packages to cater for the middle class, plus specialist quotas for Hospital Authority patients. The 619-bed hospital is to be commissioned in 2020. [image: The Standard]

08-Dec-16 As competition heats up in Singapore between private and public healthcare providers, many are looking at regional expansion for growth opportunities. Across the hospital players in the region, consensus is looking towards emerging markets like Cambodia and Vietnam for expansion. [image: Company, OIR]

08-Dec-16 The Penang Islamic Foundation is building the Penang Islamic Hospital costing MYR280 mn (USD63 mn) in Bayan Baru, Malaysia. The 14-storey, 200-bed hospital will have specialists in pediatrics, gynecology, surgery and cardiology. It is set to be the first syariah-compliant hospital in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, and is expected to begin operations in early 2020. [image: Bernama]