Materia Medica Malaysiana

Budget 2005: Doctors give it the thumbs-up

The Budget 2005 received the thumbs-up from medical practitioners who described it as “people-friendly, futuristic and well-encompassed”.

In promoting the tourism sector, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has included health tourism and education tourism, stating that there is great potential for growth in health tourism.

Abdullah, who is also Finance Minister, said Malaysia had succeeded in attracting 103,000 foreigners under the health tourism packages in 2003, with total revenue of RM58.3 million.

To further increase its contribution, he proposed to organise health tourism packages through coordinating efforts between hospitals and hotels, as well as establishing an international referral network; to encourage hospitals to obtain international accreditations and forge strategic alliances with leading medical centres in the world.

He also encouraged the private sector to establish Malaysian multinational health companies, relax immigration conditions for entry of foreign medical specialists, therapists and patients; and to support clinical research in health institutions to promote the emergence of clinical centres of excellence.

Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia secretary Dr Chong Su-Lin said, the budget is positive, although there is no mention of specific tax incentives.

“I guess the details will come later,” she said, adding that incentives are needed to upgrade the hospital facilities.

“Hospitals have always been working together with the hotels nearby, in providing accommodation for patients or their family members.”

She said hospitals are working towards being a one-stop centre for patients.

“By doing so, the patient’s family does not have to run around looking for a place to stay while the patient is recuperating,” said Dr Chong.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) executive director B. Sarjit Singh said MAH is a member of the medical tourism committee chaired by the Health Ministry.

He said the Tourism Ministry is also a member of the committee.

“There are special rates between the hospitals and the neighbouring hotels for patients and their family members. These rates vary from hotel to hotel.”

He is confident that with the Government’s seriousness in promoting health tourism, hotels would be able to provide better packages.

“We do not have to stop at providing accommodation at hotels but also at resorts and spas. While island resorts can be a good place to recuperate, spas can provide a form of therapy.”

Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) president Datuk Dr N. Arumugam said: “Allowing private patients to be treated at Government hospitals will also help retain doctors in the (government) service.”

He welcomed the additional sum of RM19.2 million being provided for the Public Health Programme, as in the last few years there had been the outbreak of communicable diseases like SARS.

On the intake of paramedic students, which according to the budget will be increased by 1,000, Dr Arumugam said there had always been a shortage of personnel in this area.

“The figure (1,000) is a good start.”