Malaysia continues to make waves as the World’s Healthcare Marvel, most recently at the Global Health Asia Pacific Awards 2020. Securing 26 awards, Malaysia was commended for its excellent management of the COVID-19 pandemic and leadership in the healthcare sector, while private healthcare institutions were acknowledged for continued medical and service excellence.
Sherene Azli, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), who was recognised for ‘Outstanding Leadership in Healthcare Travel’ said, “Amidst the ongoing pandemic, Malaysia Healthcare still strives to exemplify the best practices in medical and service excellence, a testament to our global position as the World’s Healthcare Marvel.”
Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry has been recognised as a key driver for economic revitalisation, having earned RM1.7 billion in hospital receipts and contributed RM7 billion to the economy in 2019. “Malaysia Healthcare is seeing a positive economic rebound thanks to the Government’s support and the unwavering commitment of the private healthcare sector, as well as all our dedicated industry players along the value chain,” she added.
Shedding light on Malaysia Healthcare’s plans moving forward, Sherene explained, “Anchoring on collaborative efforts, Malaysia was among the first countries in the world to establish a medical travel bubble. This is our way of ensuring continuity of care, especially for those in need of continued treatment. In addition to this, Malaysia Healthcare will forge forward into the new future by exploring digitalisation in healthcare while pursuing aggressive branding and marketing efforts to keep Malaysia as the top-of-mind destination for healthcare for when the borders eventually reopen.”
The awards also recognised the Ministry of Health Malaysia for ‘Stellar COVID-19 Achievement of the Year’ while its Director General of Health, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
This year marks the fifth installation of the awards organised by Global Health and Travel. The awards recognises the commitment of healthcare travel players in the Asia Pacific region who have demonstrated consistent standards in healthcare delivery and patient experience. The judging process of the awards employs a methodology comprising a consumer survey, panel of industry experts, fulfilment of pre-determined judging criteria, market research reports as well as Global Health Asia Pacific’s expert knowledge.
Malaysia’s world-class quality, easily accessible, and affordable healthcare continues to be commended by international bodies amidst the global pandemic. It was one of the countries that demonstrated the best COVID-19 response recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO). Malaysia also reclaimed the coveted ‘Destination of the Year’ and ‘Cluster of the Year’ titles, each for the fourth time at the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ) Medical Travel Awards 2020 in London.
Malaysia Healthcare will also host their second Medical Travel Media Awards virtually this year on the 10th of December 2020 which aims to recognise medical travel journalism excellence. To find out more about the awards virtual ceremony, visit: https://www.mhtc.org.my/mtma/.
