Are there Russian clinics in Malaysia. Medical tourism in Malaysia. Best Hospitals for Medical Tourism in Malaysia
You can go to Malaysia in order to combine business with pleasure - to relax and take care of your health. This is what our photographer Viktor Magdeev did, who had a leg injury a long time ago.
I only got interested in photography when I lost the opportunity to do my favorite thing - skateboarding - due to a knee injury in a competition in Beijing in 2011. Since then, I have had two surgeries in Kazakhstan, but have never been able to return to the sport. Therefore, I decided to go for an examination to Malaysia, to a medical center.
You can fly to the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, by a direct flight provided by the national carrier, Air Astana. The flight lasts 8 hours. You get on the plane in the evening, and already at 7 am the captain of the ship announces an imminent descent over Kuala Lumpur. This was my first visit to Malaysia, so before a boring examination with doctors, I decided to see the sights of the city.
The Palace of the King of Malaysia is probably one of the first attractions where buses with tourists are brought.
The first joking warning of friends before a trip to Malaysia was: "Do not try to smuggle drugs there - for that there is the death penalty." I was not going to carry anything like that - I am for a healthy lifestyle. Imagination drew harsh police officers, but in fact they are very friendly, they move on scooters.
When I flew out of Almaty, the thermometer was about +10 degrees. Landing in Malaysia, I wanted to get out of the airport building as soon as possible and breathe in fresh air, but as soon as I was on the street, I immediately realized that I had flown to a country located near the equator, and the climate here is very humid, and the air is incredibly hot.
It seemed to me that the Malays are very similar in appearance to the Kazakhs. One day I thought that I had met students from Kazakhstan, and I was going to surprise them - to speak Kazakh, but they turned out to be the indigenous inhabitants of the island.
While sitting on the bus, I took some street photography shots. Girls here often go with an umbrella, because tanning is not very valued in Malaysia.
The most affordable and profitable mode of transport is mopeds. Gasoline here costs about 80 tenge per liter. Car owners have to pay entry fees several times in different parts of the city in order to bypass traffic jams on paid autobahns: one passage for a passenger car costs about 80 tenge.
When it rains, there are special parking areas under interchanges for scooter drivers to wait out the rain.
Restaurants are all establishments that sell food. For locals, eating out is even more profitable. In street restaurants, the average cost of lunch is 500 tenge. The cuisine is very similar to Thai and Chinese: spicy, sweet, sweet and sour.
At the table, a tablespoon is always served instead of a knife. And I noticed that there are never paper napkins on the tables, although people often eat with their hands.
Shopping in Malaysia is a separate issue. Malays spend a lot of time in shopping malls, we can say that this is a kind of national family leisure. I think that this is due to the climate: it is almost always stuffy, humid and hot outside, while in shopping centers the opposite is true - air-conditioned, cool and entertainment for every taste.
The ancient town of Mellaka is located relatively close to the center of Kuala Lumpur. Here you can feel the historical spirit and influence of the colonialists who ruled the state until 1957.
It looks like a traditional Malaysian housing. Basic building materials: wood, bamboo and leaves.
Here on such elegant tuk-tuks you will be taken to the sights for only 200 tenge. Each bike is not only uniquely decorated, but also provided with musical accompaniment for tourists a la gangnam style.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to fit all the beauties of Malaysia into this report, especially since tourism was not my main goal. After sightseeing, I went to the Prince Court Medical Center. It was not the first and not the last clinic that I had to visit. In order to be sure which doctor and which clinic to contact, Malaysia MediCare, a company that organizes the treatment of Kazakhstanis in Malaysia, arranged info tours for me around clinics in Kuala Lumpur.
Prince Court Medical Center is located in the center of the Malaysian capital. This is a huge building, outwardly resembling a five-star hotel. There are even concierges here! This medical center is owned by Malaysia's national oil company, Petronas.
We all have a preconceived notion that the hospital should be associated with pain and illness, but here it is not so.
“Our doctors and medical staff are not only well versed in their field, but also trained to create a comfortable environment for the patient to feel at ease and relaxed. We have a large network of outlets, free personal care items and even Wi-Fi in your room, a concierge who can organize a tour for shopping and sightseeing in the city. All this is done in order to help you recover as quickly as possible after treatment, the director of the medical center, Dr Chong Su Lin, told me.
Great attention in the design of the building is paid to the light that penetrates inside, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Prince Court Medical Center provides patients with a variety of treatments, from 24-hour specialist consultations to full hospitalization. The medical center is a leading expert in cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, robotic-assisted surgery, endocrinology, neurosurgery, pediatric surgery, vascular surgery, urology and ophthalmology.
You will not meet many people in the corridors of the clinic, as the design of the building is thought out in such a way as to provide maximum privacy to each patient.
One of the main tasks of the medical center is to provide patients with a comfortable stay in cozy rooms that look like luxury hotel rooms with breathtaking views of the famous Twin Towers. The view from the ward, which is more like a hotel room, is mesmerizing.
There are both regular rooms and VIP-class rooms with a separate room for the patient's relatives.
The doctors of the medical center are very welcoming and friendly, they speak three languages: Mandarin (Northern Chinese), Malay and English.
Robotic-assisted surgery is a further development of minimally invasive (that is, with minimal intervention) surgery. The main advantage of operations performed by a robot is the rapid recovery and healing of wounds. For example, when removing the prostate by an open method, the patient must remain in the hospital for several days after the operation. If the operation is performed by a robot, this time can be reduced to one day.
The most innovative medical devices will help to accurately determine the diagnosis in the shortest possible time.
Dr. Yong Chee Khuen graduated from the Malaysian National University, which is one of the top 500 universities in the world, as an orthopedic surgeon in 2002 and continued his studies at the Institute of Orthopedic and Sports Injuries in Austria. Dr. Yong told me about the metal knee replacement technology:
“Such injuries most often occur in old age, when the joints begin to wear out, exacerbating osteoporosis. Then the surgeon puts a metal implant on the erased areas and adjusts it to size using precise instruments.
But my injury did not require such a serious intervention, but just in case, I clarified that the operation for a total joint replacement at Prince Court Medical Center would cost me 12-15 thousand dollars.
My next destination was the Ara Damansara Medical Centre, part of the Ramsey Sime Darby group, which also resembles a hotel from the inside. I was met by this friendly concierge, who in perfect English helps the guests of the clinic to figure out what's what.
Sime Darby is equipped with 14 operating rooms, 93 suites providing treatment for 1800 outpatients and 300 inpatients. Approximately so many people are treated here every day. Over the past two decades, this medical center has received numerous awards for various achievements.
The medical center even has its own mobile application that allows you to choose a doctor and make an appointment with him.
Sime Darby has some of the world's most sophisticated medical systems for diagnosis and therapy, which include a 64-slice PET/CT scanner, 3.0 Tesla MR scanner, A3D high dose brachytherapy systems, Dual Source CT Scanner and TomoTherapy.
Most specialists have been trained in the UK, Australia and the USA and are leaders in their fields. All employees speak English.
In the hall for physiotherapy and rehabilitation after operations, specialists work on modern equipment that will put you on your feet in the shortest possible time.
Prices in Sime Darby per room per night (I'm afraid to even call it a ward):
Executive Suite: RM1,200 = KZT 60,000.
VIP suite: 1666 mr = 83 300 tenge.
Single deluxe: 466 mr = 23,300 tenge.
Single standard: 300 mr = 15,000 tenge.
This smiling woman was introduced to me as "the busiest CEO in the world." Dr. Mary Wong is the first head of the company founded by the Malaysian Healthcare Travel Council, a special structure for creating comfortable conditions for the stay of medical tourists from different countries and for overseeing the quality of services provided by clinics in Malaysia.
– We want people to come to Malaysia not only to relax, but also to improve their health. We have very good clinics, but, unfortunately, few people know about it. Our ministry is very concerned about the quality of medical care and therefore makes sure that the level of treatment is so high that even the Minister of Malaysia prefers to be treated within the country, rather than travel to Germany or the United States. Our clinics have the most innovative equipment, affordable prices, at the same time, you can immediately get a quick answer on your diagnosis. And the doctor will always give you his time, explain everything in detail and answer any question that interests you. And yes, the ministers of our country are being treated at home.
While I was in Malaysia, there was an annual exhibition dedicated to medical tourism.
The exhibition was visited by Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Tan Sri (here it is something like a title) Muhyiddin Yassin, he said that the Malaysian government aims to make the country a center of medical tourism.
Dr Jacob Thomas, Director of the Malaysian Private Hospitals Association, spoke about the structure of private clinics:
- The Malaysian government has taken the initiative to separate private and public clinics by patients: private hospitals only accept foreign clients and high-ranking officials, and public hospitals are aimed only at the local population, but at the same time they are in no way inferior to each other in terms of quality of services.
At the exhibition, I had the opportunity to talk with Bakhytzhan Alimov, the former head of the telemedicine department at the National Scientific Medical Center, located in Astana. Now Bakhytzhan is in charge of seriously ill Kazakh patients who need assistance abroad at the expense of the state. Bakhytzhan Alimov brought a list of 50 people who need to be urgently distributed to clinics. Previously, patients were taken to Germany, the USA and Israel for treatment, but now Bakhytzhan is in Malaysia with an important mission - to negotiate with local clinics about treatment.
At one of the seminars, I heard a story about how a US citizen, being in the last stage of cancer, came to Malaysia and spent the last year and a half of his life here. With the same money in the USA, he could only count on one month in the clinic.
The best medical clinics in Kuala Lumpur were presented and visual demonstrations of their work: Institut Jantung Negara, specializing in heart problems, presented high-tech video equipment used in heart operations. And the prices here are more acceptable than, for example, in the States. The cost of heart surgery in Malaysia is about $13,000, in the US it is $122,000.
Do you remember that I had to choose a clinic to see my injury? As a result, I stopped my choice at the Sunway Medical Center.
At the entrance, I was warmly greeted by the executive director of the medical center named Tan Suet Guan and told me that Sunway Medical Center is an excellent team of doctors who will make my stay as comfortable as possible.
While visiting previous clinics I had the feeling that I was in a hotel, then at Sunway Medical Center I felt like I suddenly found myself on the set of foreign series about clinics.
There are departments for all cases of diseases and the prices are quite reasonable. For example, a standard double room costs only 7500 tenge. By the way, a bed in a four-bed ward at the Central Clinical Hospital in Almaty cost me 10,000 tenge.
I was introduced to Dr. Bong Jan Jin, who specializes in liver and kidney problems. He graduated from a medical university and went to London for advanced training, where he stayed and practiced his knowledge for 10 years. He has been practicing at Sunway Medical Center since 2009 and enjoys his work.
- Now medicine has stepped forward, such methods of treatment are used that were not available even 5 years ago. For example, surgery to remove an appendicitis is performed with minimal damage to the skin. We jokingly call it the “bikini” method, because after such an operation, girls can safely wear a two-piece swimsuit.
Dr. Shailendra Sivalingam, an Indian by origin, admitted that he loves films and not just watches everything at his leisure, but is well versed in them and is familiar with every picture of the classics of world cinema.
And the doctor is also involved in crossfit, thanks to him he is in such good shape.
After choosing Sunway Medical Center and reviewing the price list, I started filling out the paperwork at a special office for international clients. This process only took me a couple of minutes.
Now I have my own card in the Malaysian medical center.
The cost of consultation and examination is 12,500 tenge, MRI is 25,000 tenge. Total knee replacement surgery at Sunway Medical Center will cost $6,000. I need an operation to restore the anterior cruciate ligament, its cost is no more than $4000.
The doctor examined my knee and confirmed the instability of the joint. I was afraid that I would not be able to return to professional sports, but he dispelled all doubts:
- A year of gradual rehabilitation after the operation - and you will be able to skate as before!
But just to be sure, he gave me an MRI.
I was dressed in a special gown and prepared for the MRI.
This is the third time I had an MRI and I know that this is a very unpleasant procedure, since you need to lie down for 40 minutes and not move under the machine, which makes hellish sounds that drive you crazy.
But this time they gave me headphones, turned on classical music - and 40 minutes flew by unnoticed, I even took a nap. At the end, Queen's song "Don't stop me now" started playing, and I really wanted to twitch my feet to the beat and sing along. After the procedure, I jokingly said that this song should be removed from the playlist in order to avoid incorrect results.
The conclusion was sent to me by e-mail and confirmed the need for surgery. Now it remains to accumulate the required amount and return to this warm country in order to combine business with pleasure again, especially since I did not have time to see all the sights of this hospitable country.
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Federation of Malaysia/Persekutuan Malaysia
Part of the world: Asia
Territory: 329, 847 thousand sq. km
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Big cities: Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Kampung Baru Subang
Climate: tropical with annual monsoons in the southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February)
Common languages: Malay, English
Religion: Islam
Timezone: GMT+8
Telephone code: + 60
National currency: ringgit
Credit cards of payment systems: VISA, MasterCard, American Express
Transport connection: air, rail, road and water transport
International airports in cities: Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Langkawi
Over the past two years, Malaysia has become one of the top three Asian health care providers for foreign citizens. In 2009, private medical centers in Malaysia received about 350,000 patients. Over the next three years, it is expected that the flow of patients will increase by an average of 30% annually. More than 30 clinics and medical centers, which are members of the Association of Private Clinics of Malaysia, are provided with the latest medical equipment and highly qualified medical staff. Malaysian surgeons are widely known in the world as highly qualified specialists, many of them have international diplomas.
This country is famous for surgery, eye microsurgery, aesthetic dentistry, rheumatology, cancer treatment, cardiac surgery, as well as alternative and traditional medicine, and, of course, luxurious spa treatments. The treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system using the ancient folk Malaysian traditions of healing has gained particular fame outside the country. The methods are based on the use of various herbs and spices, which significantly improve blood circulation in the body.
Medical tourists from rich Asian countries (Singapore, Japan) prefer Malaysia not only because of prices that are 40-60% lower than in the USA and Germany, but also because of high-quality medical care, comfortable conditions for patients, which are provided not only with a separate room with all amenities, but also with a personal steward or a round-the-clock post of a personal nurse.
Optimal time for treatment: May, June, September.
Clinics:
Malaysia is famous for the use of traditional Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Balinese, Malay, Thai and European healing techniques. The combination of these ancient practices of oriental medicine with modern European and American technologies in the field of healing and rejuvenation of the body contributed to the rapid development of the country's health sector.
Every year the number of health centers in Malaysia is constantly increasing. To date, Malaysia offers more than 170 SPA resorts to serve foreign patients. The resort and health sector has long been a priority for the Malaysian economy. Therefore, the level of service here is very high.
Undoubtedly, the beaches on the coastline are the first thing a guest of the country who came to Malaysia to improve their health should visit. More than 4,500 km of warm sand, gentle waves and healing sea air, combined with numerous coral reefs in the west and east of the country, contribute to the healing of postoperative scars, a speedy recovery from respiratory diseases, diseases of the musculoskeletal system (especially arthritis and arthrosis). Especially popular among foreign patients are islands such as Pangkor, Langkawi and Tioman.
One of the most common healing practices, acupuncture, came to Malaysia with the first Chinese settlers. Traditionally, the course consists of several sessions, during which the doctor "rehabilitates" the energy channels, removing the "blockades". The latest know-how in this technique - long needles, as thick as a hair, make the procedure almost painless.
An ideal SPA procedure for those who want to experience the beauty of the Malaysian massage complex is called "Asian fusion". It gives you the opportunity to enjoy the massage techniques of almost all nationalities living in the country. The first 30 minutes of the session, the massage therapist stretches the muscles, according to the Thai technique, then does a Chinese massage, stopping at acupuncture points, after which he applies aroma oil to the body and rubs it into the body with deep strokes, as was done in ancient India.
It is noteworthy that SPA resorts have long ceased to be an oasis for body and soul only for women. Men who have arrived in Malaysia in search of effective wellness treatments can recuperate with a special urut massage. A session of such a massage consists of long dynamic tapping and light strokes. "Urut" is not considered exclusively as a component of the SPA-procedures course. This massage technique is offered to the representatives of the stronger sex even in medical institutions in Malaysia. It has been proven that a course of "urut" in 9 procedures helps a lot in the treatment of infertility or sexual disorders in men.
SPA and sanatoriums:
Nasi lemak (coconut milk rice traditionally served with meat and vegetables wrapped in banana leaves with a spicy sauce), sate (juicy spicy meat skewers grilled and seasoned with spicy peanut sauce), penang royak (fruit dessert).
Batu Caves (limestone caves with temples), Tasik Perdana Lake Park (the oldest park in Malaysia, which is especially popular among tourists), the National Museum of Malaysian History, Gunung Mulu Reserve (a national park with the greatest biodiversity).
Tadau-kamatan (harvest festival in May), flower festival (July), Chinese New Year (February 1).
There are many reasons to go to Malaysia for treatment or improvement of the body. This amazing country offers many unique curative and restorative medical courses. and procedures. Moreover, the prices for services here are considered among the lowest in the world, and the quality of treatment, on the contrary, is at a high level. Today Inostrannik offers you a guide to Malaysian medical institutions and health resorts.
Eastern hospitality
A patient who finds himself in a Malaysian clinic will most likely feel that he was in a hotel, and not in a medical facility. There are no shabby walls, disgruntled nurses, grouchy doctors. In Malaysian clinics, true oriental hospitality is fully manifested.
Communication with the staff is not difficult, as all medical workers in Malaysia speak fluent English and patiently try to explain everything to everyone. Multi-ethnic, multi-lingual service staff of various faiths. Thus, respect for the religious feelings of patients and their cultural affiliation is common in medical centers.
The local doctors have academic titles obtained in educational institutions in the UK, Australia and the USA. Clinic staff have extensive experience in consultative and surgical practice not only in Malaysia, but throughout the world. Equally important is their sincere desire to create in hospitals a welcoming, warm atmosphere, necessary for the mental comfort of patients.
Malaysian clinics offer their patients a choice of accommodation from conventional rooms to luxurious apartments, as well as menus depending on preferences and religion, in addition, the services of a doctor of the same sex as the patient are provided here.
As additional amenities, almost every medical facility has a cafe, as well as convenience stores and even flower shops in case one of the relatives wants to please the patient with a beautiful bouquet.
Malaysia has both general general medical centers and specialized institutions. For example, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and the Tun Hussein Onn Ophthalmological Center have an international vocation.
In some clinics, there are even departments of traditional and alternative medicine, where herbal treatment and acupuncture are used.
Disease is better prevented
Examination in the clinic can become a source of valuable information about the state of human health, help to detect and prevent the development of a disease detected in time.
In Malaysian clinics, there are various types of diagnostic equipment, most of which allow you to "look" inside the human body to collect information about the state of health.
Often, all examinations can be completed within one day and at the end of the visit you can get the results. Such programs can reveal a variety of diseases that would otherwise appear only at a later stage of development. Examinations will show how well the body copes with stress, detect the onset of heart disease and help doctors give the patient recommendations for lifestyle changes. For example, a general diagnosis of the state of the organism in a Malaysian clinic will cost the patient an average of $150. This amount includes: specialist consultation, complete physical examination, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), vision test, complete blood count, lung examination, medical report and recommendations.
For example, a hospital in Kuala Lumpur offers a comprehensive program called "holiday screening". This program allows you to undergo a complete examination of the body in a few days. Thus, it is possible to combine a medical examination with a holiday in a beautiful country. The time of the procedures is chosen in such a way that the patient has time to go on excursions. The average cost of such a program is $386. The price includes: 3 nights accommodation in a single room in a 4-star hotel, 3 breakfasts (buffet), 1 dinner, transfer from the airport to the hotel and back, a fruit basket, a special program of examinations and counseling.
Alternative medicine
Due to the diversity of local cultures and wealth of natural resources, countless wellness practices are used in Malaysia. Some of them are among the oldest on earth. The abundance of Malay, Chinese and Indian healing techniques contributes to the development of systems aimed at the complete restoration of the body.
The excellent choice of spa centers in Malaysia creates excellent conditions for relaxation and rejuvenation of the body. Spa centers in the country also offer Balinese and Thai treatments.
Malay treatments use local medicinal herbs and plants containing natural vitamins and minerals. Be sure to experience the effects of the traditional jamu herbal blend, which includes, among others, turmeric. It is used to remove toxins from the body and strengthen the general physical condition. Jamu is used to make tonic drinks and pills, which are very popular in Malaysia and Indonesia due to the absence of chemical additives.
Enjoy a stress-relieving massage using local herbal oils, or try an invigorating body scrub. Soak in a warm herbal flower bath while savoring ginger tea. Take care of your hair with freshly made shampoos and conditioners made from herbs and fruits.
Ayurveda is very popular in Malaysia. This is the world's oldest medical system for maintaining and restoring health. It is believed to have originated in India about 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda literally translates as "Science of Life". This medical practice has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an effective system of alternative medicine. There are many Ayurvedic clinics in Malaysia.
Acupressure (massage of biologically active points), which originated in the East, is also very popular in Malaysian clinics. Be sure to enjoy a reflex foot massage or a Japanese Shiatsu massage.
Many alternative medicine centers in Malaysia operate at hotels and resorts. Some of them have received worldwide recognition (Spa Village at Pangkor Laut Resort and Mandara SPA on Langkawi and Cherating).
In addition to medical centers, Malaysia is rich in natural health facilities. In the forest areas, among the gardens of Poring in Sabah, there are hot springs and cool ponds. Immersion in the healing waters here and in other parts of the country (Tambun, Pedas and Kulim on the Malay Peninsula) is refreshing and rejuvenating, and will definitely help you remove all traces of fatigue after long New Year's feasts.
Anna Rumyantseva, Overseas Real Estate Magazine "
In 2012, Malaysia was recognized and placed in third place, after Panama and Brazil, as the country offering the highest quality medical services. A fact confirming such a high level is the developed health tourism, controlled by the state system, and attracting thousands of foreigners to the country. For example, in 2011 alone, more than 200,000 foreign patients arrived in Malaysia to receive treatment.
Malaysian healthcare systemThe system of medical care in the country consists of two sectors: private and public.
Public clinics and hospitals are located in every state of the country, among the existing hospitals there is one main public health facility. In each area of the city, existing public hospitals and clinics providing medical care to the population operate under the control of the state's main public hospital. In addition, in each state there are such medical and preventive institutions as anti-tuberculosis and psychoneurological dispensaries, as well as maternity hospitals. These institutions are certainly equipped with the latest equipment, regardless of what state they are in. Each public hospital has a director who reports to the Malaysian Ministry of Health and belongs to a decentralized system.
Public hospitals provide free medical care to several categories: children under 12 years old, pensioners and government employees. The remaining categories of the Malaysian population receive public medical services for a minimum fee.
The private sector is also represented by clinics and hospitals, it has a centralized system and a fairly developed network. In terms of the cost of medical services, private hospitals are much more expensive than public ones, but the range of services here is much wider and is provided with great comfort. All private clinics in the country have permission to provide medical services and licenses issued by the Ministry of Health of Malaysia. In addition, local hospitals are certified MS ISO 9002 and MSQH - Malaysian Healthcare Quality Standard. These certificates serve as an excellent guarantee of the quality of medical care.
There is also a sector of semi-public hospitals that provide the same medical services as private ones, but at several times cheaper. There are few such institutions in Malaysia, but they are very popular.
Malaysia as a center of medical tourismThe economic success of Malaysia has made it possible to create one of the best health care systems in Southeast Asia and, on its basis, to create an industry of international inbound medical tourism. To date, this industry receives comprehensive support from the government, and the Malaysian Association of Private Clinics, which includes 35 medical institutions, promotes the country in the international market of medical services.
In 2008, the recorded figure for serving foreign patients in local medical centers was the number equivalent to 295 thousand people! By 2012, this figure had grown by more than 30 percent.
Attractive for foreign patients is a wide range of medical services at the level of world standards, the cost is much lower than in Germany, Israel, and excellent service.
Malaysia has become the most popular and one of the largest centers of healthcare development in recent years, thanks to high-tech medical institutions with highly qualified and educated staff, which makes it possible to meet the needs of patients around the world. Also, the development of medical tourism is favored by the excellent transport infrastructure and tourist attractiveness of Malaysia.
An additional comfort in the medical care received by most foreigners is the fact that almost all medical workers in Malaysia know several languages and speak English.
The wide range of services offered by Malaysian medicine includes: internal medicine, plastic, cosmetic and orthopedic surgery, cardiac surgery, pediatrics, ophthalmology, obstetrics and gynecology, speech therapy, cardiology, urology, dentistry and nephrology.
Additional information for foreignersMedical assistance to tourists and other foreign citizens is provided on a paid basis by both state hospitals and dispensaries, and private clinics. Public institutions provide basic care at a not very high cost, but for serious operations and more qualified treatment it is better to go to private ones, where it is quite expensive, therefore medical insurance is recommended.
Due to its geographical position, Malaysia is still endangered by diseases such as dengue fever and malaria. But thanks to effective measures on the part of local authorities, the problem of malaria is practically solved in the most visited tourist areas - the peninsular part of the country and off the coastline of Borneo.
There is no ambulance in the country in the traditional Russian sense - if you feel unwell, you need to get to the hospital on your own, ambulance is provided only in traffic accidents or other accidents.
Many medicines are available not only in pharmacies, but also in supermarkets, gas stations and so on, but it is impossible to buy a serious antibiotic without a prescription from a doctor in Malaysia.
As Thailand and Vietnam gradually cease to be exotic destinations, a new star of the Asian region is rising on the tourist Olympus - Malaysia. This country not only preserves the traditions of Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures, but also offers guests all the benefits of technological progress. For many, "true Asia" - and that's what the locals like to call Malaysia - is associated with the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, pristine mangrove forests, friendly people, the world-famous sky bridge on Langkawi and a specific, but such a delicious fruit. durian.
However, against the background of its neighbors, Malaysia stands out in another aspect - medical tourism. By the way, half of the approximately 2,000 Malaysian students who study in Russia every year are students of medical universities. In addition, a strong connection with the former metropolis - Great Britain - helps the Malaysian healthcare industry to use all the latest developments in world medicine.
Availability and world standards
"Trips for health" as a direction has been developing especially actively over the past 15-20 years. The medical system in Malaysia is divided into two parts: public and private. The government controls the level of medical services provided in the country, ensuring the high quality of medicine and compliance with the leading world standards. For example, clinics in Kuala Lumpur and Penang were among the first in the Asian region to receive the Joint Commission International (JCI) certificate, which confirms compliance with the highest standards in the field of healthcare and is recognized around the world. The quality of services is also guaranteed by the accreditation of the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH). Regular checks are carried out not only in public clinics, but also in private ones. Based on the results, an internal rating of the country's medical institutions is compiled, the best of which can be found on the website of the Malaysian Healthcare Travel Council.
And the results are noticeable. Thus, in 2015 the country was visited by over 850,000 tourists wishing to improve their health. The country receives numerous awards from the professional community. For example, according to the prestigious IMTJ Medical Travel Awards, Malaysia became the best country for medical tourism in 2016 in the region. Several medical institutions also won the best in their categories: Best International Hospital (Sunway Medical Centre), Best International Dental Clinic (Imperial Dental Specialists Centre), Best International Cosmetic Surgery Clinic (Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre), Best International Perinatal Center (TMC Fertility Centre) .
Such successes are primarily due to a combination of high quality medical care and reasonable prices - for example, in comparison with clinics in Israel and the USA in Malaysia, you can save from 30 to 75% or more.
The Ideal Union: Nature and Alternative Practices
Malaysian hospitals and medical centers offer services in almost all popular areas: dentistry, cosmetology, dermatology, plastic surgery, transplantation, ophthalmology, general medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, andrology, urology, endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, radiotherapy and radiosurgery, oncology.
An important reason why medical tourists choose Malaysia is the conditions for postoperative recovery. The climate of the country contributes to recovery to a large extent - here you can engage in eco-tours all year round, relax on the sea or high-altitude plantations. In addition to the traditional recovery, Malaysia also offers various non-traditional health practices - massages, herbal treatment, world-famous Ayurveda, acupressure - treatment through pressure on certain points of the body and acupuncture - exposure to the body with special needles. The latter destination is especially popular in Malaysia, and the famous Acupuncture Herbal and Medical Treatment Center in Kuala Lumpur is considered one of the best in the world. Malaysia also offers thermal and mineral springs and baths - the most famous of them are located in Sabah, Pedas, Tambun.
It is noteworthy that not only private clinics, but also public hospitals are very actively resorting to non-traditional types of treatment and postoperative recovery.
Reliable, like in a hospital, comfortable, like at a resort
For those who appreciate the high level of comfort during treatment, many clinics provide the opportunity to recover both within their walls, in special high-comfort rooms, and in nearby hotels, where treatment is more like relaxation. The medical staff regularly visits patients and performs the necessary procedures.
Interaction with the attending staff facilitates the almost complete absence of any language barrier. Firstly, the vast majority of Malaysian professionals are trained and trained abroad and speak good English. Secondly, here you can easily hire an interpreter, which is often practiced among patients if they do not speak a foreign language. You can also choose a Russian-speaking specialist. By the way, a fairly large number of Malaysian doctors studied in Russia, so upon returning to their homeland they are fluent in Russian.
A significant plus of Malaysia in the field of medical tourism is a visa-free stay in the country for Russians for 30 days. It is also convenient for relatives and friends, you can come with the whole family without thinking about visa formalities.
When planning your trip to Malaysia, start at the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC MHTC) website – https://www.mhtc.org.my/. Here you will find basic information for patients and will be able to choose the best clinics in the country with which you will continue to communicate directly.