Some Private Hospitals Ask For Air Tickets To Hold Promotions Overseas

BERNAMA: "MELAKA, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said some private hospitals which were making profits still ask the government to pay for their expenses to promote their services overseas.
'They would ask for air tickets and to cover their accommodation expenses. I think this sort of application is not right,' he said.
He said private hospitals should emulate the example of those in Melaka which actively promoted their services overseas on their own, including setting up an office in Indonesia, to attract foreign patients.
Their efforts had proven effective with the five private hospitals in Melaka attracting nearly 30 per cent of foreigners who came to Malaysia to seek medical treatment, he told reporters Tuesday during a visit to Southern Hospital, which is owned by the Melaka state government.
About 150,000 foreigners sought medical treatment in private hospitals in the country last year and they spent RM120 million.
Dr Chua said health tourism was encouraged by the government because of its huge revenue potential.
He said there were more than 30 private hospitals with the medical expertise and facilities that could be promoted overseas to attract more foreign patients.
Reasonable costs of treatment, political stability, good transport and other physical infrastructures, and a conducive social environment were among the factors that made Malaysia a favoured destination for foreign patients, he added"