Medical Tourism Destinations - Malaysia
Country Information
Located in South East Asia, Malaysia lies on the Asian mainland peninsula and on the northern section of Borneo. Its coastlines are on the Straits of Malacca and the South China Sea. Thailand is Malaysia's neighbor to the North while Singapore is at its southern end. Indonesia and Brunei also share their borders with Malaysia. In terms of land size, Malaysia is a bit larger than New Mexico, with 329,847 sq km, according to The World Fact Book. Kuala Lumpur is the largest city in Malaysia, and is also its capital. Malaysia’s population is largely comprised of Malays, with Chinese, Indian, Bumiputera and other ethnic groups making up its population. Malaysia's land composition is as diverse as its culture. Westerners will be familiar with the large cities, complete with magnificent skyscrapers, but can enjoy stunning beaches and scenic national parks as well.
Medical Tourism in Malaysia
Malaysia is joining the likes of India and Thailand in becoming an international hub for affordable, yet modern health care treatment abroad. From 2003 to 2007, the amount of foreign visitors to Malaysia for medical tourism tripled, says Elaine Ang of The Star Online. Malaysia also ranked 9th in 2009 among the world’s most visiting countries after Germany and before Mexico, according to the World Tourism Organization. The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia reports that the number of medical tourism foreigners seeking medical procedures in Malaysia will continue to grow.
A wide range of medical procedures can be obtained with health travel to Malaysia such as cosmetic surgeries, dental procedures and cardiac surgeries. Many of these procedures can be obtained at a much lower cost than in the U.S., reports Tourism Malaysia. The favorable exchange rate is one of the reasons that Malaysia is chosen by many international medical tourism patients as their go to country for health care treatment abroad. The agreeable exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the Malaysian Ringgit (RM)--Malaysia's currency, make it an incredible health care value for some.
The fact that the country has a high rate of literacy and a multi-lingual population, contribute to the popularity of this country's medical tourism appeal. Further, Malaysia is a former British colony, which means that you can find English-speaking people everywhere, even though Malay is the official national language. The country has an extensive network of hospitals and clinics, with the majority of its county's population living in close proximity to the many health clinics and private practices. A good many of the health care personnel have been trained at high levels in both the United States and United Kingdom, which offers appeal for health travel seekers. Many Malaysian private hospitals are JCI Accredited (Joint Commission International Accreditation), with many others in the application of filing for JCI accreditation. JCI reflects the standards for hospitals and is the basis for hospital accreditation around the world. The Association for Private Hospitals of Malaysia is actively working to develop medical tourism in the country.
Tourist Information
Entry Requirements
A valid passport or travel document that is valid for at least six months beyond the expected visiting period is required for visitors touring Malaysia, according to the country's official tourism website, Tourism Malaysia. Visas are not required by nationals, but a return ticket is.
Time Difference and Travel Distance
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is the main gateway airport into Malaysia. KLIA is a modern airport, with a state of the art computer system and four runways. The automated passenger and baggage clearance system are efficient, providing passengers with a short wait time. KLIA is about 30 minutes from the capital city Kuala Lumpur by high speed rail service.
The distance from New York, USA to Kuala Lumpur is 9,400 miles and takes just over 20 hours. The distance from London, United Kingdom to Kuala Lumpur is 6,557 miles, with a 12 hour 30 minute travel time. Malaysia Airlines is the national carrier of Malaysia while there are many other international carriers servicing air travel to the country. Malaysia is also accessible by sea and rail. Kuala Lumpur is 16 hours ahead of U.S Standard Time and eight hours ahead of GMT.
Currency
The Ringit Malaysia is the monetary unit of Malaysia and is referred to as RM or Malaysian Dollar. Both money changers and banks are available to exchange currency, but it may be more difficult to buy or sell foreign currency outside of the main tourist areas. Some major hotels will exchange foreign currency that is in the form of traveler's checks or notes.
Weather
Because Malaysia lies near the equator, it has a tropical climate. From April to October, the tourist can expect tropical conditions, but from October to February expect Monsoons, reports the World Fact Book. November to January is the rainy season on Peninsula Malaysia's east cost. For the majority of the year, Malaysia is humid and hot, with temperatures range from 70ºF to 90ºF or 21ºC to 32ºC. Travelers should bring light breathable clothing, with appropriate attire for dining.
Sights and Attractions
There are many sights and attractions in Malaysia. Whether you are looking to take in a tropical paradise in Sabah or city life in Kuala Lumpur, you will find a variety of things to do, see, or eat in this country. For example, the Petronas Twin Towers is a sight to behold. Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur the towers can be seen from just about every vantage point in the city. The Skybridge, connecting the two tours between the 41st and 42nd floors and filmed in the Sean Connery and Catherine Zeta-Jones movie "Entrapment", can be toured by visitors. Malaysia's striking mosques such as Kuala Kangsar, Kuching Sarawak State Mosque and the Tranquerah Mosque are other impressive attractions.
For shopping, check out Suria KLCC or the Pavilion Mall, which are popular shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur. There's also the Central Market which is a one-stop shopping centre for those in search of Malaysian products such as art and handicrafts as well as diverse Malaysian cuisine. Bukit Bintang (Golden Triangle) is another area in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where you can get your fill of shopping and dining. Here you can expect to see a busy commercial district, consisting of high-end shopping, fine dining and five-star hotels.
After a day on foot seeing the sights or shopping, guests claim to enjoy the somewhat tickling experience as fish "massage" their feet at the Foot Master Fish Spa or Kenko Fish Spa.. Nature lovers will love the Kuala Lumpur Bird Park or the Batu Caves, the latter of which are impressive cavern and caves. One of the largest national parks Taman Negara, surrounded by a tropical rainforest, is sure to please the nature enthusiast. Visiting the eastern coast between May and September provides the best opportunity to see Malaysia's famous sea turtles.
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