Malaysia’s Medical Tourism Growth To Be Driven By Initiatives, Partnerships

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s medical tourism industry is expected to sustain strong growth, supported by targeted initiatives and strategic partnerships, said BMI, a Fitch Solutions company.

In a note, BMI said the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), an agency under the Health Ministry, has launched the “Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026” campaign to promote its healthcare capabilities and offer medical tourists a holistic experience that combines treatment, wellness, and tourism.

Aligned with Malaysia’s broader tourism goals under Visit Malaysia 2026, the campaign aims to further expand the country’s medical tourism industry in 2026 and beyond, following 2024’s record-high revenue.

“Following this, Malaysia has entered global healthcare partnerships, including Malaysia Healthcare Week in Kuwait, held in September 2025.

“During that event, Malaysia showcased its high-quality healthcare services and cultural hospitality to attract Kuwaiti patients and to strengthen its international reputation as a preferred medical tourism destination,” BMI said.

It also noted that the expansion of medical tourism in Malaysia, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, the Philippines, and India will create opportunities for public-private partnerships, medical device manufacturers, and investments in healthcare infrastructure.

It added that greater private sector participation, driven by rising demand from international patients will boost private health spending growth, supported by private health insurance, bundled medical travel packages, and direct payments for specialist procedures, especially in leading emerging markets.

To remain competitive, BMI said these countries are expected to invest in advanced technologies such as telemedicine platforms, robotic surgery, and artificial intelligence-driven diagnostic equipment.

Healthcare providers will aim to capture new revenue streams from this expansion, while medical device companies are likely to broaden their product offerings.

However, BMI cautioned that competition in the global medical tourism industry will intensify as both established and emerging destinations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East ramp up efforts to attract international patients.

Within ASEAN, Malaysia and Thailand remain key medical tourism destinations, while emerging players such as Vietnam and the Philippines are increasingly promoting their offerings through integrated healthcare and leisure packages.

Despite efforts to diversify its patient base globally, Asia-Pacific will continue to be Malaysia’s top source market for medical tourism. While Malaysia serves patients from around the world, most visitors still come from regional markets such as Indonesia, Mainland China, and India.

This trend, BMI said, is supported by factors including geographical proximity, quality services, and strong cultural and linguistic affinities.

-- BERNAMA