Malaysia's medical tourism revenue hit MYR1 bn in 2016
16-Mar-17, Free Malaysia Today
Malaysia’s medical tourism industry grew by almost 25% in 2016, raking in an estimated RM1.15 bn (USD260 mn) in hospital revenue, revealed the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC).
Image: Free Malaysia Today
MHTC CEO Sherene Azli said this was encouraging, especially since medical tourists were the biggest spenders among tourists in the country. “For each ringgit spent on a medical tourist’s hospital bill, it is estimated that the patient spends RM3 on expenses outside the hospital,” she said, adding this included paying for things like transport and accommodation.
The RM1.15 billion in revenue is derived from the medical bills of foreigners seeking medical treatment in Malaysian private hospitals.