Penang is distinguishing itself as an affordable location for medical
tourism, steadily increasing its capacity to meet such demand as the
island destination sees a surge in demand for medical treatment from
internationally trained doctors. This has translated into about 50% of
Malaysia’s medical tourism receipts being generated in Penang.
Leading a group of medical centres from Penang to the recent ITB Asia
in Singapore was Mary Ann Harris, executive director of Penang Centre
of Medical Tourism (PMED).
As Penang positions itself as a “Good Health Great Holidays”
destination, she said that every PMED member has expanded its
infrastructure and facilities in the last five years, with many
sprouting new wings and treatment centres. “We are going on roadshows
and exhibitions and focusing on other markets besides Indonesia. This
year alone, we have been to Singapore, Jakarta, Surabaya, China and
Taiwan.”
Among the changes are the new Sunway Medical Centre which opened in
November 2022. Island Hospital has built a new wing, Pantai Hospital is
expanding, and Georgetown Specialist Hospital has built a new 13-storey
block.
Health screening packages are popular among medical tourists, the
bulk of which comprise Indonesians, with rates starting from RM290
(US$60.80) for a basic package to RM990 for a premium package at Sunway
Medical Centre.
Also, IVF centres have doubled and they now comprise GENESIS IVF, Star Fertility, METRO IVF and TMC Fertility.
For those who are looking to retire in more affordable Asian cities,
the new Penang Retirement Resort (PRR) which opened in May 2023, offers
an all-inclusive package of S$3,000 per month for retirees who can opt
for independent or assisted living.
It comes with a wellness spa, dining hall, memory clinic,
physiotherapy centre, karaoke room, hair and nail salon, rehab
facilities, café, shuttle services, and access to a golf course next
door.
The resort is less than 2km from hospitals that provide the necessary
support and back-up facilities. Joshua Cheng, senior operations manager
of PRR, said that family and friends are always welcome to visit the
secured community.