Medical Tourism in Malaysia

It is no secret that because of high costs medical and dental procedures are becoming far beyond the reach of many Americans, which has left the field for medical tourism wide open.

Medical tourism to Malaysia has tripled during the past six years and is ever growing.

Malaysia has been a favorite for many who have answered the call of the tropics and the exoticism that envelopes the Malay Peninsula. The promise of its astounding mountains and beaches, and even the faded colonial glories of the British Empire have drawn people for many years.

But today a different type of tourist is traveling to Malaysia. The tourist who appreciates the considerable advances in higher education and medical facilities. In fact it can be said that Malaysia will soon be a considerable rival to Thailand, Singapore and India as far as medical tourism goes.

May 2010 will see Kuala Lumpur hosting more than 1,500 trade visitors, exhibitors, sponsors and delegates from the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East to the Asia Medical Tourism and Wellness Congress (GLOW2010).

The event has been planned with the aim to provide networking opportunities for travel specialists and others who may be contemplating entering the field.

The focus for GLOW 2010 will be on how health industries reach out to foreigners and clarify the intricacies of medical tourism whilst demonstrating new developments and technology.

According to Health Minister, Seri Lio Tiong Lai, the health ministry as recently unveiled a new international website which is a gateway for potential visitors and patients to explore what medical treatments that are on offer.

At present statistics show that the biggest percentage of travelers seeking health treatments in Malaysia are coming from Europe, India, Japan and Indonesia but the government sponsored study is also showing that Americans have now discovered Malaysia with its excellent treatments and costs that are just a fraction of those charged in the U.S..

As for the cost, well take for example a heart bypass operation that in the U.S. would cost approximately $130,000 in Malaysia the cost would be approximately $12,000.

In Malaysia a knee replacement will cost $8,000 whilst in the U.S. it will cost $40,000 or thereabouts.

Savings as staggering as the beauty of Malaysia itself.

But it is not only the low cost of treatments that are attracting medical tourists it is also the beauty of the country itself. Whilst recuperating from any treatment patients have ample opportunity to relax in modern pampering health facilities, bask on the beach at a beach resort, or explore the country.

Malaysia health care has been a long-standing trendsetter in ophthalmology, orthopedics, gastroenterology, cardiology and cosmetic procedures. With many of its highly qualified surgeons having received training in Australia, the United Kingdom or the U.S.

The medical tourist program in Malaysia is government managed and there is a strong emphasis on not only recovery but also that the medical traveler has an enriching experience all round.