Medical travel rebounds to Penang, Malaysia
In the Penang Center for Medical Tourism (PMED), Mr. Chow Kon Yeow, Chief Minister of Penang, announced the revival of medical tourism in Malaysia with increasing revenues from RM66 million (US $15m) in 2021 to RM285 million (US $64.7m) in 2022. In 2022, Penang welcomed approximately 150,000 healthcare travelers; over 50 percent were Indonesian, followed by Bangladesh and India. The meeting also included the Protocol of Medical Tourism collaboration with low-cost airline PT Citilink Indonesia.
The Center envisions a Medical City in Penang incorporating healthcare infrastructure, medical equipment and pharmaceutical manufacturing, and medical research. This effort will support Malaysia’s branding in medical tourism, according to the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint 2021-2025.