Health-Tourism On The Rise, Says Tengku Adnan

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- Health Tourism is on the rise with more foreigners are coming to Malaysia to seek treatment and unwind.
Tourism Minister Datuk Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said from January to to September 2005 a total of 132,313 tourists had entered the country to seek treatment at 35 private hospitals.
They spent about RM109 million and the whole year figure is expected to surpass the 2004 figures of 174,149 health tourists who spent RM150 million.
Speaking on RTM's 60 Minutes With The Minister Programme, Tengku Adnan said effforts are also being taken like introducing beauty and health products.
"We also emphasis on health services like plastic and dental surgery to be introduced to the visitors. They can receive treatment while unwinding here," he said.
He said the approval from the Health Ministry is also being sought to import useful herbal products to be used in spa theraphy.
Other then the alternative like the Chinese herbal medicine the ministry also wants to introduce the Malay traditional medicine.