Medical tourism is a significant economic driver, with revenues expected to climb, sustaining a demand-driven boost in the property market, particularly within prime, amenity-rich urban locations. A quiet economic engine, growing in power — supporting jobs and spreading benefits far beyond hospital corridors. [1]

Let’s explore the medical tourism in Malaysia.

Image Credit: www.mhtc.org.my

  • Positioning itself as a halal medical care centre for Muslims, Malaysia draws most of its medical tourists from Indonesia, China and India.

  • Malaysia has a government agency, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), backed by its health ministry, that manages the flow of medical tourists.

  • Malaysia saw growth of about 26% in medical tourists: About 1.26 million such tourists visited the country between January and November in 2024, up from about a million in 2023. 

  • Hoping to draw more medical tourists, Malaysia enhances its integrated healthcare offerings, including traditional and complementary medicine such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, enhancing its wellness programmes and extending visa-free travel agreements with countries such as China.

  • For Singaporeans, beyond having facilities in nearby Johor Bahru, several hospitals across Malaysia are also Medisave-approved facilities. This will further enhance accessibility to the healthcare services. [2]

  • In May 2025, Malaysia was ranked no. 1 among the world’s top 10 medical tourism destinations by Nomad Capitalist, alongside regional peers such as Singapore and Thailand. [3]

  • Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 has officially been launched today to strengthen the country’s position as a top destination for affordable and high-quality healthcare services. It’s a bold initiative by the MHTC to cement Malaysia’s status as a global medical tourism hub.

  • The prestigious title of Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital 2025 was awarded to Island Hospital, Penang, in recognition of its exemplary performance in medical and service excellence, and international branding. In addition, 5 distinguished accolades were conferred to recognise the finalists for setting new national benchmarks in their respective domains: [4]

    I. Excellence in Healthcare Tourism Revenue Growth:
    Awarded to Island Hospital, Penang

    II. Medical Excellence and Medical Technology Distinction:
    Awarded to Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)

    III. Strategic Industry Partnership Leader:
    Awarded to Mahkota Medical Centre, Melaka

    IV. Digital Innovation in Patient Service Delivery:
    Awarded to Island Hospital, Penang

    V. Brand Distinction Excellence:
    Awarded to Subang Jaya Medical Centre


Credit Source:

[1] https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/03/17/the-quiet-but-growing-economic-ripple-of-medical-tourism

[2] www.channelnewsasia.com/today/big-read/medical-tourism-thailand-malaysia-singapore-4862176

[3] https://nomadcapitalist.com/global-citizen/freedom/top-countries-for-medical-tourism

[4] https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/malaysia-unveils-first-flagship-medical-tourism-hospital-award-winner-to-drive-global-economy-competitiveness-302637303.html