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]

22-Feb-17 International Finance Corp, the investment arm of the World Bank, plans to invest up to USD60 mn in Indonesia-based IDS Medical Systems, the largest Southeast Asian medical device distributor and supply chain manager. The funding will help IDS complete a USD130 mn project and expand operations by growing in existing markets and selectively entering new markets in Asia. [image: IDS Medical Systems]

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]

 Insights

20-Feb-17 Raffles Medical Group is ramping up in China and Indochina as strong demand for quality healthcare offer attractive growth opportunities. It is also growing its portfolio of corporate clients with more multinational companies using its medical services outside of Singapore, including Japan, Vietnam and China. It also logged revenue of SGD474 mn, a 15% increase compared with a year ago. [image: Raffles Medical Group / Nikkei Asian Review]

17-Feb-17 The Philippines is poised to become one of the world's top medical tourism destinations in the next 10 years, as the government completes its infrastructure build. The country currently ranks behind Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, said St. Luke's Medical Center president Edgardo Cortez. About 98 percent of medical tourists in the Philippines are currently from Guam, he said. [image: ABS-CBN News / St. Luke's]