Melaka Offers Medical Service Of Developed Nation Standard

MELAKA, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- Melaka is offering medical services that equal those available in most of the developed nations and it is thus not surprising that it now becomes the focus of foreign patients.
Besides the government hospital, there are several private medical specialist centres playing the role of promoting health tourism programs, one of the 12 tourism sub-sectors introduced by the state government to attract foreigners to seek medical treatment in the state while enjoying their holidays there.
"Melaka is now the number one in health tourism," said its Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam in an interview with Bernama.
In 2004, a total of 52,000 foreign patients, who were mostly from Indonesia, had sought treatment at three private specialist hospitals namely Hospital Putra, Mahkota Medical Centre and Hospital Pantai. Between January to November last year, the figure had reached 50,191.
Mohamed Ali said the majority of the patients receiving treatment in Melaka were Indonesians who came mostly from the regions in Sumatera, which has no private hospital.
They chose Melaka as the medical cost in this state is cheaper by half compared to those in Singapore and Jakarta, he said.
"To attract more foreign patients, we encourage the specialist hospitals to continuously improve their services and expertise," Mohamed Ali added.
Another effort by the state government and the private sector was a plan to create a cancer medical centre.
Melaka's success in luring foreign patients to seek treatment in the state also won praise from Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
"We wish to congratulate Melaka as we observe that despite having not more than five private hospitals as compared to the Klang Valley, nearly 30 percent of the total number of foreigners seeking medical services in Malaysia head for Melaka," he said when visiting Hospital Putra last September.
In 2004, a total of 150,000 foreigners came to Malaysia to seek medical services at private hospitals and spent RM120 million.
Dr Chua also commended the step taken by private hospitals in Melaka for actively carrying out promotional campaigns overseas as well as setting up an office in Indonesia.
The Melaka government holds a majority of the shares in Hospital Putra.
The hospital, previously known as Southern Hospital, is strategically located in the centre of Melaka town, beside the Sungai Melaka and adjacent to several hotels.
Among the specialist services that they offer are general surgery, cardiothoracic treatment, as well as urology, obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics, pathology and anaesthesiology.
The hospital is also offering Chinese traditional and acupuncture services.
For Hospital Pantai at Ayer Keroh, among the specialist services offered are in the fields of cardiology, gastroentology, renal dialysis, neurology, internal medication, endoscopic services, paediatrics, urology, obstetrics and gynaecology.
At the Mahkota Medical Centre, other than specialist and diagnostic services, packages that are normally provided include medical checks and dental treatment.