Country Details Hospital Listing

Medical Tourism to Malaysia

Experience world-class healthcare in the heart of Southeast Asia with Malaysia as your preferred medical tourism destination. Boasting a unique blend of cutting-edge medical facilities, highly skilled healthcare professionals, and a rich cultural tapestry, Malaysia offers a comprehensive healthcare experience like no other.


The Healthcare System in Malaysia

The majority of hospitals offering services to medical tourists are privately owned institutions following internationally recognized standards in healthcare.

 

Currently, there are at least 35 hospitals in Malaysia that are being geared towards medical tourism. All are accredited locally by the Malaysian Medical Society for Quality of Health (MSQH) and are licensed by the Malaysian Ministry of Health. Most of these hospitals are accredited by international bodies including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Joint Commissions International (JCI) among others, making them on par with medical institutions in western countries.

 

Doctors and staff practicing at Malaysian international hospitals are English-speaking and internationally trained. Over 90 percent of these doctors were trained in the UK, USA or Australia, and in some cases are involved in international medical research.


Common Treatments done by Medical Tourists in Malaysia

Hospitals and healthcare facilities in Malaysia offer a wide array of procedures and services for medical travelers, which include but are not limited to the following:

  • Cosmetic and Reconstructive surgery
  • Endocrinology
  • Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)
  • General and Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Gastroenterology
  • General Surgery
  • Dialysis and Nephrology
  • Health Screening and Special Diagnostic Services
  • Health Screening Packages
  • Health rejuvenation packages
  • Immunization and Vaccination Services
  • Internal Medicine
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Urology

Cost of Medical Treatment in Malaysia

The following are cost comparisons between Medical procedures in Malaysia and equivalent procedures in the United States and the UK:

 

Cost comparison with the USA

Medical Procedures

Procedure US Hospitals Malaysia Average Savings
Heart-valve Replacement $150,000 - $160,000 $14,500 - $15,500 90% - 91%
Heart Bypass $120,000 - $130,000 $11,500 - $12,500 90% - 91%
Angioplasty $55,000 - $57,000 $7,500 - $8,500 80% - 86%
Hip Replacement $41,000 - $43,000 $9,500 - $10,500 75% - 77%
Hysterectomy $18,000 - $20,000 $3,500 - $4,500 77% - 81%
Knee Replacement $38,000 - $40,000 $7,500 - $8,500 78% - 80%

 

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Procedure US Hospitals Malaysia Average Savings
Face Lift (rhytidectomy) $7,000 - $9,000 $2,500 - $3,500 61% - 64%
Breast Augmentation (Mammoplasty) $5,000 - $8,000 $3,000 - $4,000 40% - 50%
Breast Reduction $4,000 - $6,000 $3,000 - $4,000 25% - 33%
Complete Liposuction (lipoplasty) $4,000 - $6,500 $2,000 - $3.000 50% - 53%
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty) $5,500 - $6,500 $2,000 - $2,500 61% - 63%

 

General and Cosmetic Dentistry

Procedure US Hospitals Malaysia Average Savings
Root Canal $600 - $1,000 $200 - $250 67% - 75%
Porcelain Crown $600 - $1,000 $150 - $200 75% - 80%

 

Cost comparison with the UK

General and Cosmetic Dentistry

Procedure UK Hospitals Malaysia Average Savings
Face Lift (rhytidectomy) $11,000 - $12,000 $2,500 - $3,500 70% - 77%
Breast Augmentation (Mammoplasty) $7,000 - $8,000 $3,000 - $4,000 50% - 57%
Breast Reduction $8,000 - $9,000 $3,000 - $4,000 55% - 63%
Breast Lift $2,000 - $3,000 $900 - $1,000 55% - 67%
Tummy Tuck $6,000 - $7,000 $2,000 - $2,500 64% - 67%
Liposuction (lipoplasty) $5,000 - $6,000 $2,000 - $3.000 50% - 60%
Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty) $5,500 - $6,500 $2,000 - $2,500 61% - 64%

 

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Procedure UK Hospitals Malaysia Average Savings
Porcelain Bonded Crowns $950 - $1,000 $150 - $200 80% - 84%
Root Canal (per canal) $300 - $400 $200 - $250 33% - 38%

Pros

✔︎ Healthcare facilities
Malaysia is home to modern, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities that rival those in developed countries. Many hospitals and clinics are equipped with cutting-edge medical technology and infrastructure.

 

✔︎ Prices
Malaysia offers affordable healthcare services compared to many Western countries, allowing medical tourists to access high-quality treatment without the high costs often associated with healthcare in their home countries.

 

✔︎ Language
English is widely spoken in Malaysia, facilitating communication between international patients and healthcare providers. This reduces language barriers and ensures a smooth patient experience.

 

✔︎ Quality standards
Malaysia's commitment to healthcare excellence is evident through rigorous quality standards. Accredited healthcare facilities, skilled professionals, and adherence to international healthcare guidelines ensure top-notch care for medical tourists, making Malaysia a trusted destination for world-class healthcare experiences.

 

✔︎ Tourism infrastructure
Malaysia offers beautiful natural landscapes and resorts that provide an ideal environment for post-treatment recovery and relaxation.


Cons

✘ Safety concerns
Terrorist activities and kidnapping of tourists are still primary concerns, particularly in certain areas of the country that are geared toward Western visitors and tourists.


Traveling to Malaysia

There are six international airports in Malaysia catering for more than 35 international carriers from all around the world. This makes Malaysia very accessible from neighboring Asian countries as well as from outside the continent.

 

Average estimated travel time in hours

From/To Malaysia
New York City 20
Los Angeles 19
London 12
Sydney 8
Dubai 7
Riyadh 7
Tokyo 6.5
Jakarta 2
Singapore 1
Pakistan 5
Bangladesh 3

Entry and Exit Requirements to Malaysia

There are various visa requirements to Malaysia depending on the country of origin. Length of stay is typically 1 to 3 months; however extensions may be available upon request to the Malaysian High Commission.
The following is a brief summary of visa requirements from prominent nations where most medical tourists are arriving from (October 2009):

 

✈︎ No Visa Requirements:

  • UK and British Commonwealth / protected countries
  • United States of America
  • Switzerland
  • Netherlands

 

✈︎ No Visa Requirements depending on maximum length of stay:

  • 3 months maximum:
    Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bosnia Herzegovina, Chile, Croatia, Cuba, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Slovakia, Tunisia, Turkey, U.A.E., Uruguay, and Yemen.

 

  • 1 month maximum:
    Asian Countries, Hong Kong, Macau, British National Overseas and North Korea

 

  • 14 days maximum:
    Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Macau (travel permit) and Portugal Alien Passport.

 

✈︎ Needs Malaysian Visa for a stay exceeding one month:

  • Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia and the Philippines

 

✈︎ Needs Malaysian Visa for Entry

  • Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo Republic, Cote D'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Western Sahara, Taiwan

 

✈︎ Special Approval Required

  • Citizens of Israel and Yugoslavia