Malaysia can be hub for orthopaedic surgeries

NST: KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has huge potential of becoming a hub for orthopaedic surgeries where the operations cost a fraction of that in countries such as the the United States and Britain.
Asean Orthopaedic Association president Dr Jamal Azmi Mohamad and Malaysian Orthopaedic Association president Dr Robert Penafort said the skills and facilities available locally were not being fully exploited.
"There are a few (orthopaedic) surgeries done in the name of health tourism but much more can be done," said Dr Jamal.
Dr Jamal and Dr Robert said the government and private sector should do more to promote such surgeries abroad.
Dr Jamal said the Malaysian health tourism sector was not being promoted "fully".
"There is a need to encourage and create more awareness on this sector, especially among the foreigners."
He said patients wanting to do a joint replacement surgery in Malaysia would have to spend at least two weeks in the country.
"This includes the surgery and recovery period," he said, adding that this meant the patients would have time to see parts of the country.
It would cost RM20,000 to do the surgery in Malaysia, compared with RM150,000 in the United States.
Malaysia has more than 500 orthopaedic surgeons, most of whom are in the Klang Valley.