MTI's Network of International Medical Centers : Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s capital and commercial hub with over 4 million inhabitants. Kuala Lumpur is also the center of Malaysia’s healthcare sector as there are over 15 medical centers in Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs.

Malaysia is generally regarded as one of the easiest countries to visit in the Southeast Asia region. It welcomed over 2 million foreign visitors in 2005. The urban areas are very modern. The cost of living is favorable: food is reasonably priced, hotels are generally priced at about 50% to 75% of comparable US levels and it is very inexpensive to travel within the cities by taxi. English is universally spoken in the urban areas of Malaysia and the Malaysian people are kind, warm and friendly to visitors.

Malaysia is located just north of the equator in Southeast Asia and is bordered by Singapore to the south and Thailand to the north. The average daily temperature is approximately 84 degrees (27C) year round. Malaysia has a population of 25 million people and is a multi-ethnic country with approximately 55% of the population being ethnic Malay, 25% ethnic Chinese and 10% ethnic Indian. Bahasa Malayu is the official language, although English is widely spoken.

Malaysia has undergone a period of rapid development that began in the 1980’s. Malaysia’s 2005 Gross Domestic Product of $290 billion ranks 33rd in the world. Manufacturing is the largest sector of the economy followed by natural resources and tourism. There is full employment in Malaysia as it is estimated that there are approximately 2 million foreign guest workers currently working in the country.

Malaysia’s healthcare infrastructure has been in place since the British colonial period. Until the mid-1980s’, Malaysian healthcare was primarily concentrated in the public sector. The development of the private healthcare sector paralleled overall economic development beginning in the 1980’s and rapidly expanding in the 1990s’. There are currently over 200 private medical centers in Malaysia.

Three of Malaysia’s top private medical centers participate in Medical Tourism International’s Network. Two of these medical centers are located in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, and one in the 2nd largest city Penang.

Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding area is the major urban area of Malaysia with a population of approximately 4 million. Kuala Lumpur is a beautiful city blending modern skyscrapers with colonial style architecture. The city itself is the headquarters to most of Malaysia’s financial and corporate institutions. In addition to local inhabitants, there are approximately 50,000 foreign expatriates who live and work in the greater Kuala Lumpur area.

Two of Malaysia’s leading private medical centers in this region participate in the Medical Tourism International Network. Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre is located in the Ampang area of Kuala Lumpur approximately 3 miles (5 km) from the city center. Subang Jaya Medical Centre is located in Subang Jaya, which is approximately 10 miles (16 km) from the city center. A detailed description of these medical centers is contained in the next section.

Penang is the second largest urban area in Malaysia with a population of over 1 million. Penang City is the center of Penang Island, which served as an important trading port for the British Colonial Empire. Today, Penang’s economy is based upon manufacturing -- many of the world’s largest electronics companies have manufacturing facilities in Penang -- and tourism. Penang presents the visitor with an opportunity to enjoy its rich cultural heritage, island climate and excellent culinary delights.

One of Malaysia’s leading private medical centers in this region participates in the Medical Tourism International Network. Gleneagles Medical Centre is located in the Georgetown area of Penang approximately 2 miles (3 km) from the city center. A detail description of this medical center is contained in the next section.

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