Malaysia Strengthens Position As Regional Healthcare Hub

KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's aspiration of becoming a regional hub for healthcare has taken a positive step forward with the opening of Menara Landmark Medical Suites in Johor Baharu City Centre, in Malaysia's southern state of Johor. The medical suites, owned by Daiman Properties Sdn Bhd, provide convenient, world-class healthcare at globally competitive prices, catering to the rising demand for private and medical tourism services. "With the increase in ASEAN's consumer spending power, Malaysia is poised to be a leading regional medical tourism destination," Daiman Managing Director of Business Development Tay Hui Fong said in a statement Thursday. Tay said Medical Tourism Association (MTA) statistics show that the country's medical tourism revenue reached US$193.04 million (RM690.2 million)last year. "The number of tourists needing hospitalisation and outpatient treatment rose 129 per cent from 583,000 in 2011 to 768,000 in 2013. "The MTA cites cheaper air travel and competitive rates on medical care as key factors in the growth of this sector," he said. The medical suites, which cater to both local and international markets, are in close proximity to the Johor-Singapore Causeway, Singapore Changi Airport and Senai International Airport. --BERNAMA