NAY PYI TAW, AUGUST 2017: Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) paid a courtesy visit to Myanmar’s Minister of Health, Dr. Myint Hwe in Nay Pyi Taw today. Led by its Chief Executive Officer, Sherene Azli, MHTC believes that this momentous meeting will further strengthen the existing warm rapport established between the two nations and to forge new avenues for both countries in the healthcare sector.
Through this courtesy call, MHTC or better known as Malaysia Healthcare also aims to explore potential government to government (G2G) engagements that will benefit both nations in terms of healthcare provision and receipts especially for the Myanmar citizens.
The Malaysian delegation is optimistic that through this meeting, they are able to:
Both Sherene and the Minister of Health in Myanmar, Dr Myint Htwe were pleased that Malaysia and Myanmar have been working closely over the past few years to have knowledge transfer and training in the form of Health Talks, Continuous Medical Education (CME), and Clinical Assistance Training between doctors from both countries.
In April this year, Malaysia Healthcare, together with three Myanmar hospitals (OSC Hospital, Aung Yadana Hospital and Kembangan Hospital) and a travel agent (JTB Polestar), sealed collaborative partnership agreements in its quest to better serve the healthcare needs in both the countries. “Having strong, reliable partners will surely provide ease and comfort for any healthcare traveller seeking a seamless medical travel experience”, says Sherene. Aiming to share, exchange knowledge and enhance the healthcare services offered between both counties, it was agreed by both parties that collaborative partnerships are certainly needed and important for the betterment of the healthcare travel value chain.
Healthcare travel is one of the fastest growing industries in Malaysia today and Myanmar represents a very important market for Malaysia Healthcare. As close ASEAN neighbours, Malaysia has seen a positive growth of Burmese healthcare travellers coming to the country for treatment from a mere 5,600 in 2011 to more than 11,000 travellers in 2016.
International Living’s rating of Malaysia as the “Best Country in the World for Healthcare” in their Annual Global Retirement Index from 2015 – 2017 underscores Malaysia’s healthcare efficiency today. The country was also awarded as the “Medical Travel Destination of the Year” by the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ) for 3 consecutive years in a row (2015 – 2017). Certainly Malaysia is gaining fast popularity for its value-for-money, high quality care and competitive pricing and it is one of the very few countries from around the world where medical tourism is supported by the government under its Ministry of Health.
Sherene further commented that “Malaysia has the right qualities for achieving greater heights in international healthcare travel: excellent quality in healthcare services, accessibility and affordability. To top it off, it is easy for travellers to communicate with health professionals here, where English and several local dialects are widely spoken with Burmese speaking translators also available upon early request”.
The commitment towards providing exemplary healthcare services, had led Malaysia Healthcare this year to unveil the Share My Love campaign. “Share My Love” carries a message of love, unity and kindness, inviting all to come and experience Malaysia’s excellent healthcare and indulge in their famous Malaysian hospitality.