12-Mar-17 Private healthcare institutions in emerging Asian economies are cutting costs to offer high-quality care at 50-70% the price of large private hospitals. QualiMed in the Philippines has kept labor costs down by hiring young doctors who cannot afford a hospital space. Columbia Asia keeps operating costs low by focusing on high-demand fields. [image: Nikkei Asian Review]

06-Mar-17 IHH Healthcare, Asia's largest hospital operator by market value, has sold a USD160 mn stake in Apollo Hospitals in a deal that will consolidate its investments in India. It operates >10,000 beds in 52 hospitals across 10 countries, with Malaysia, Singapore, Turkey and India making up most of its MYR10 bn (USD2.2 bn) revenue in 2016. [image: The Economic Times]

23-Feb-17 Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng wants to make Penang into a medical city with excellent hospitals, highly trained doctors and affordable care. The government seeks to bring in foreign and local investment to enhance healthcare facilities. Lim explains: "medical tourism is booming in Malaysia... Investment is important to reinforce Malaysia’s position as the number one medical tourism destination." [image: Investvine]

26-Feb-17 Demand for designer vagina procedures in Malaysia has skyrocketed in comparison to other plastic surgery treatments. Explaining the 200 percent increase in interest for laser vaginal rejuvenation, a report highlighted the relatively fuss-free nature of the treatment. Liposuction attracted the greatest interest in 2016, while eyelid surgery and procedures to shift body fat were also in the top three list. [image: The Malaymail Online / WhatClinic.com]

14-Feb-17 The medical tourism industry in Malaysia is expected to achieve revenue of MYR1.3 bn (USD290 mn) in 2017, said the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council. MHTC's CEO Sherene Azli said the industry is experiencing a growth of 30 per cent year-on-year. "Malaysia has the ecosystem and infrastructure to provide quality end-to-end healthcare system and services that are globally competitive," she said. [image: Reuters]