A few years ago the news headlines about the National Health Service in parts of the UK being stretched to near breaking point by the sheer weight of numbers attending Accident and Emergency Departments.
This led to resources within the NHS being switched – resulting in longer waiting times for those seeking operations.
The alternative and readily available private medical option here in the UK for most of those on these waiting lists is prohibited by the cost.
So how ideal would it be to find most medical procedures immediately available in a private health service largely modelled on the British system, with standards of clinical practice as high – but available at prices often 50 per cent less than those in the UK?
This is the option offered by Malaysia which I discovered on a recent visit has been attracting many thousands of Australian medical tourists who for a number of years have been keen to take advantage of the low cost of private medical treatments on offer.
Often these Australians will turn the trip to Malaysia into a full vacation in this attractive Far East tourist destination, in many cases fully paid for out of the savings made on their medical treatments.
Malaysia now hopes to attract UK travellers in the same way with by offering a combination of low cost \medical treatments and the opportunity to enjoy a week or two relaxing and experiencing this exotic destination.
Indeed it is possible to simply turn up at KL International Airport, walk into the Malaysia Healthcare Lounge and a specialist team there will help you find the right hospital for the treatment or operation you are seeking, and arrange everything for you including transport and accommodation, in the time it takes to drink a cup of coffee.
Regulated by Malaysia’s Ministry of Health, hospitals in and around Kuala Lumpur and on Penang, offer expertise in medical fields such as cardiology, oncology, gastroenterology, fertility treatment, bariatric surgery, orthopaedics, dental, ophthalmology, neurology, cosmetics and aesthetics procedures. In most cases these hospitals have achieved certification for internationally recognised quality standards and accreditation.
One advantage of Malaysian hospitals over those in some other medial tourism destinations, is that all those working within, including importantly the carers speak fluent English, as do the medical practitioners who mostly have been trained and had experience of working in, the UK, United States, and Australia.
I visited many medical establishments in Malaysia during my visit, something I had past experience of here in UK when I worked for the Department of Health producing and editing a number of in-house publications.
Rather than list all, I have chosen to highlight some individuals reflecting some of the specialist procedures available in Malaysia. Needless to say anyone considering travelling to Malaysia for medical treatment should first consult their GP.
Cosmetic Surgery
At Penang Adventist Hospital I met Dr Danny Oh who following years of Family Practice and General Surgery now specialises in Plastic Surgery (which includes Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery).
A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, he received the American Board of Plastic Surgery certification in 1985, he performed the first microsurgical free flap in Northern Malaysia also in 1985.
Dr Danny Oh talked me through his case book of before and after photos of those whose lives he has help to transform by rebuilding faces blown away by guns, or removing physical features unacceptable to most that could ruin lives, whilst enhancing others to give patients new confidence in life.
It was a most sobering experience realising the suffering some unfortunate people go through in their lives, “I believe that patients know what they want and strive to achieve their goals within the limitations of modern technology” he told me. Dr Danny Oh provides poor deserving cases free reconstructive surgery “to restore them to full function in their society”.
Upper and Lower Eyelid Lifts, Nose Remodelling, Enlargement of the Chin or Cheek Bones, Face and Neck Lifts, Breast Surgery of all types, Tummy Tucks, Liposuction, and Fat injection are some of the procedures, available at Penang Adventist Hospital. (Email: cosmetic@pah.com.my Website : pah.com.my)
Both in Kuala Lumpur (or KL as the natives call it) and on Penang, there is massive investment taking place in the healthcare service with numerous new state of the art hospital wings and other medical facilities just opened or about to be.
Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine
On the outskirts of KL, where only 25 years ago there was a disused open cast mine, stands the magnificent and massive Golden Horses Health Sanctuary, literally a shining example of what can be achieved by regenerating old industrial sites – gleaming buildings standing in beautiful gardens line a vast lake.
GHHS offers not only a full range of medical treatments and procedures known to us in the West, but also Chinese Medicine including Acupuncture, administered by top practitioner and Head of Clinical, Dr Kong Why Hong.
Here I watched as patients with problems such as with their digestive system, or suffering from back pain, and insomnia were treated by Acupuncture, all when contacted a few days later had noted improvements.
Later Dr Kong Why Hong told me: “In keeping with our company’s motto ‘Ever Searching for Better Living’, I hope to apply the best therapeutic practices from the integration of traditional Chinese philosophy and modern science to provide effective preventive methods and treatments for our customers”.
At this GHHS facility there is also a full-time team preparing Chinese Medical prescriptions for patients to take away. These can also be sent by post. (Web site: ghhs.com.my).
Dentistry
In central Kuala Lumpur lies certainly the most impressive dental practice I have ever visited. The Imperial Dental Specialist Centre situated in a modern high tech building over several floors is the creation of Dato’ (the Malaysian version of Sir) Dr How Kim Chuan.
However, it wasn’t always like this. “I started as a solo practitioner in 2002” he told me, but his reputation for excellence spread rapidly, “soon I had so many patients I couldn’t cope anymore”.
Now Dr How Kim Chuan heads a practice team of six other dentists and 16 other dental professionals, who as well as treating some of Malaysia’s top people attracts medical tourists from Australia and throughout Asia.
Imperial offers all the dental procedures one would expect available in surgeries here in the UK and more, “We also offer full mouth rehabilitations and even maxillofacial surgery, we are a one-stop dental center”, he concluded. (Website: imperialdsc.com).
Website and Other Details
The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council – part of the Government of Malaysia, offers a comprehensive easy to use website giving details on what medical treatments available and where to locate them.
- medicaltourism.com.my and a free call service to MHTC Call Centre: + 603 272 68 688.
- E-mail: callcentre@mhtc.org.my
- Facebook : /mhtcmalaysia
- Twitter : /mhtcmalaysia
- YouTube : /mhtcmalaysia
Malaysia as a Tourist Destination
Safe, clean, good value, with probably the best food in the Far East, and a position in the Tropics also ensuring one of the best climates
Kuala Lumpur is one of the world’s best value and largest destinations for shopping, also great street restaurants open late. Recommended JW Marriott Hotel.
Penang, an island and historic port connected to the mainland by a bridge – a mixture of old colonial and modern, famous street markets, with some fine tourist beaches to the north, and fabulous seafood. G Hotel recommended (ghotel.com.my).
British Airways
I flew to Malaysia with Malaysia Airlines, despite some most unfortunate headlines in recent years, both flights were close to full and the service and food excellent.
The BA daily service from London Heathrow Terminal 5 to Kuala Lumpur (KL) will be operated by a four-cabin Boeing 777-200ER, featuring 12 seats in First, 48 in Club World, 32 in World Traveller Plus and a further 127 in World Traveller.
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