By Vijian Paramasivam
PHNOM PENH Aug 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is stepping up its bid to become a regional hub for medical tourism, with plans to expand into the Cambodian market ahead of the “Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism” in 2026.
The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) is positioning the country as a leading destination in Southeast Asia by showcasing its comprehensive healthcare ecosystem, which combines affordable treatment, advanced medical technology and competitive pricing.
MHTC Vice-President of Marketing and Communications Lokman Izam Abd Aziz, said Cambodia is a potential market and the number of Cambodian patients travelling to Malaysia has increased by 15 per cent last year compared to 2023.
“Healthcare is not about treatment, it is about trust, comfort and peace of mind. So we aim to make the journey easy. Malaysia is ready to welcome you and your families.
“We not only provide advanced medical care but a healing journey,” he said at the launching of the MHTC roadshow in Phnom Penh on Thursday.
Over 3,600 Cambodians travelled to Malaysia for medical treatment last year.
Malaysia attracted about 1.6 million international medical travellers to its shores in 2024, who contributed RM2.7 billion to the exchequer, according to the council.
MHTC, along with the National Heart Institute (IJN), Sunway Healthcare Group, KPJ Healthcare Berhad and Optimax Eye Specialist Centre, is on a roadshow to promote healthcare services to the Cambodian market.
The four-day event was themed “Bridging Border: Unlocking World-Class Healthcare in Malaysia for Cambodians”.
Speaking at the event, Cambodian Ministry of Health’s Secretary of State Dr Sung Vinntak said the roadshow goes beyond the traditional bilateral ties between the two countries.
“It is not only a platform for healthcare but reflects our commitment between Cambodia and Malaysia.
“Malaysia has internationally recognised medical services and a successful model in healthcare, and Cambodia can benefit from its medical expertise and technology transfer,” he said.
MHTC also organised a talk, “Navigating Women’s Healthcare in Malaysia”, on Wednesday as part of its roadshow.
-- BERNAMA
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