KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 11, 2017 – Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) or better known as Malaysia Healthcare, today signed a partnership agreement with NCH Consumer Healthcare from Bangladesh, for patient referrals to Malaysia.
As the market of healthcare traveler spending from Bangladesh to Malaysia is increasing, with a growth of 34% between 2015 and 2016, MHTC is eager to leverage on NCH Consumer Healthcare’s vast network in order to expand its horizon and presence in the second largest city in the country; Chittagong, which is home to 2.5 million people.
“Malaysia Healthcare seeks to establish a stronger brand presence, as well as build greater relationships with Bangladeshi consumers and industry stakeholders. The Asian market plays a key role in our development strategy, with Bangladesh being one of our strongest markets, and one we want to engage with more closely,” commented MHTC Chief Executive Officer, Sherene Azli.
Over the years, Malaysia Healthcare has seen a growth from 643,000 healthcare travelers in 2011 to more than 921,000 travelers in 2016 receiving treatment in Malaysia. Despite the less than satisfactory economic condition in 2016, healthcare travel in Malaysia grew by 23% since 2015, amassing RM1.12 billion in hospital revenue.
NCH – an established pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, has been operating in the country for more than 30 years. Hoping to expand its portfolio by venturing into healthcare travel, NCH is targeting Malaysia as a primary business location.
“We are confident of our partnership with Bangladesh as we cater well to the needs of healthcare travelers from Bangladesh – from providing prayer facilities to offering halal food and understanding the Muslim culture, the ease of communication and cultural similarities provide a natural environment for Bangladeshi patients seeking treatment in Malaysia,” added Sherene.
To ensure seamless patient care, the Malaysian Immigration Department with the support from the High Commissioner’s office in Bangladesh has implemented special considerations for registered medical travelers, where visa applications are fast-tracked from 5 working days to only 2, and within 12 hours for emergency medical cases.
Malaysia enacts and adheres to stringent international regulations and standards for safety and quality healthcare – set by the Ministry of Health (MOH). Hired healthcare professionals are trained from renowned institutions from all over the world, namely Malaysia, the UK, USA, Australia and Europe.
