Even those who have never traveled abroad know about the wonders of oriental medicine. Malaysian medicine deservedly has a leading position in the world. Malayan healers received bronze in the world rankings due to the fact that the country’s economic successes made it possible to develop local healthcare and introduce a medical tourism industry directly on the basis of the state system. It should be noted that doctors in Malaysia are some of the best in all of Southeast Asia, and the flow of tourists visiting the country in search of medical services does not dry out. Every year about 300 thousand people come here to improve their health. What and how is treated in Malaysia - read on! What attracts Malaysian medicine? In general, all trips to Malaysia related to medicine are divided into two categories - medical tours / medical tourism and health tours and recreation. There are many reasons why treatment and wellness in Malaysia is so popular in the world.
- High quality treatment, clear, sustainable medical system in Malaysia, recognized by WHO.
- Medical prices are much more favorable than in America, Germany or Israel.
- A large selection of services that meet international standards, a high level of service.
- Opportunity to receive comprehensive services.
- The opportunity to use the services of alternative medicine during the recovery period.
- Good transport accessibility in Malaysia, interesting options that can be combined with treatment.
- Treatment and prevention institutions have the latest equipment.
- Assistance in organizing accommodation, meals, selection of a doctor of the same gender as the patient. Almost every hospital has cafes, shops and other infrastructure that makes your stay in the clinic convenient and comfortable.
- The English language is widely used, and it is possible to hire a translator.
Medical Tourism Destinations in Malaysia
- Check-up (diagnostics)
- Dentistry
- Cosmetology, dermatology
- Aesthetic medicine, plastic surgery, transplantations
- Ophthalmology
- Therapy, pediatrics
- Gynecology/Obstetrics
- Urology, andrology
- Endocrinology
- Cardiology and cardiac surgery
- Nephrology
- Radiotherapy and radiosurgery
- Oncology
How is the healthcare system organized in Malaysia? The Malaysian Ministry of Health is the single center responsible for everything related to medical care in the country. It is with the Ministry of Health that medical tourists coming to Malaysia for treatment will have to interact. There are public and private medical practices in the country. Ambulance services operate at hospitals. Mandatory free childhood vaccinations are also carried out. There are public hospitals in every state, and district clinics are subordinate to the main central city hospitals. Local dispensaries, maternity hospitals, and sanatoriums are also controlled by city public hospitals. Directors of central hospitals personally report to the Ministry of Health. Children, pensioners and civil servants are treated free of charge, everyone else is treated for a fee. There are many private clinics in Malaysia, the services of which are much more expensive than in public ones. Private hospitals are centrally managed. Before opening a private practice, a doctor in Malaysia must work in a city hospital. Therefore, the level of doctors is high. All private hospitals are licensed by the country's Ministry of Health and have MS ISO 9002 and Malaysian Standard for Healthcare Quality (MSQH) certificates. 
Features of treatment in Malaysia All Malaysian clinics that receive medical tourists value their guests, surrounding them not just with attentive staff, but also with real oriental hospitality. The aesthetics of the surrounding space, the friendliness of the staff and the highly qualified doctors, who, as a rule, have European or American diplomas and titles, are good incentives to get well. And there are also clinics that use alternative medicine methods: massages, acupuncture, acupuncture, etc. Some medical centers have a wide profile, others specialize in a certain type of service. Thus, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and the Tun Hussein Onn Ophthalmology Center are known throughout the world. And the Kuala Lumpur Hospital has created a “vacation medical examination” medical program aimed at those who want to relax and improve their health at the same time. The price already includes medical services, excursions, and accommodation. 
Local doctors pay great attention to prevention and diagnosis. Therefore, examinations are performed quickly, giving the patient not just test results, but also comments on them immediately. Modern equipment allows us to learn a lot about health conditions. Alternative medicine is held in high esteem in Malaysia: after medical procedures, during the rehabilitation period or for health purposes, a variety of practices are used. Bloodletting, thermal baths, dietary supplements, medicinal herbs and infusions, oils, spiritual systems for restoring health are offered even by government doctors, so this component of the Malaysian healthcare system should not be underestimated. 
In addition to hospitals, Malaysia’s natural resources will also help you get your health in order: hot springs, mild climate, fresh air are the best friends of a healthy person. (There are many healing springs - in Tambun, in Kulim on the Malacca Peninsula, Pedas, etc.) Visa to Malaysia
Malaysia is another country in Southeast Asia that is convenient for Russian tourists in terms of visa requirements. If you are visiting friends or relatives, planning a short-term business visit, or going on a tourist trip for no more than 30 days, then you do not need a visa. Visa-free entry When crossing the border, you will be given a visa-free stamp. Before going through border control, you must fill out an immigration card in English, which you keep until departure.Climate in Malaysia
Malaysia: weather and climate This country surprises tourists even with its weather forecast: in the opinion of a Russian, the forecast is always approximately the same - warm. The fact is that the tropical climate of Malaysia is characterized by high humidity and an average annual temperature of 26C to 30C. Thermometer values fluctuate slightly in winter and summer, and comfortable weather remains all year round. In other words, the weather forecast will never be an obstacle to a trip to this wonderful country.Transport in Malaysia
Combining the incongruous, relaxing to the fullest, diving in the morning, visiting sales until your legs hurt in the afternoon, and during the breaks exploring an incredible number of sights and trying extraordinary local dishes is possible not only in dreams, but also in the eastern exotic country of Malaysia. Its territory is located not only on the mainland, but also on the islands. City streets are surrounded by greenery, and the beauty and richness of national parks cannot be described in a nutshell.
Federation of Malaysia/Persekutuan Malaysia
Part of the world: Asia
Territory: 329, 847 thousand sq. km
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Big cities: Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Kampung Baru Subang
Climate: tropical with annual monsoons in the southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February)
Common languages: Malay, English
Religion: Islam
Timezone: GMT+8
Telephone code: + 60
National currency: ringgit
Credit cards of payment systems: VISA, MasterCard, American Express
Transport connection: air, rail, road and water transport
International airports in cities: Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Langkawi
Over the past two years, Malaysia has become one of the top three Asian providers of medical services for foreign citizens. In 2009, private medical centers in Malaysia received about 350 thousand patients. Over the next three years, patient volume is expected to increase by an average of 30% annually. More than 30 clinics and medical centers that are members of the Association of Private Clinics of Malaysia are provided with the latest medical equipment and highly qualified medical staff. Malaysian surgeons are widely known in the world as highly qualified specialists, many of them have international diplomas.
This country is famous for surgery, eye microsurgery, aesthetic dentistry, rheumatology, cancer treatment, cardiac surgery, as well as alternative and traditional medicine, and, of course, luxurious SPA treatments. The treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system using ancient Malaysian folk healing traditions has become especially famous outside the country. The methods are based on the use of various herbs and spices, which significantly improve blood circulation in the body.
Medical tourists from rich Asian countries (Singapore, Japan) prefer Malaysia not only because of prices, which are 40-60% lower than in the USA and Germany, but also because of high-quality medical care, comfortable conditions for patients, which are provided not only with a separate room with all amenities, but also with a personal steward or a 24-hour post of a personal nurse.
Optimal time for treatment: May, June, September.
Clinics:
Malaysia is famous for the use of traditional Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Balinese, Malay, Thai and European healing techniques. The rapid development of the country's health sector was facilitated by the combination of these ancient practices of oriental medicine with modern European and American technologies in the field of healing and rejuvenation of the body.
The number of wellness centers in Malaysia is constantly increasing every year. Today, Malaysia offers more than 170 SPA resorts to the services of foreign patients. The resort and health sector has long been a priority for the Malaysian economy. Therefore, the level of service here is very high.
Undoubtedly, the beaches on the coastline are the first thing a guest of the country who comes to Malaysia to improve their health should visit. More than 4,500 km of warm sand, gentle waves and healing sea air, combined with numerous coral reefs in the west and east of the country, contribute to the healing of post-operative scars, rapid recovery from respiratory diseases, diseases of the musculoskeletal system (especially arthritis and arthrosis). Particularly popular among foreign patients are islands such as Pangkor, Langkawi and Tioman.
One of the most common healing practices, acupuncture, came to Malaysia with the first Chinese settlers. Traditionally, the course consists of several sessions, during which the doctor “rehabilitates” energy channels, removing “blockades”. The latest know-how in this technique is long needles, as thick as a hair, making the procedure almost painless.
The ideal SPA procedure for those who want to experience all the charm of a complex of Malaysian massages is called “Asian fusion”. It gives you the opportunity to enjoy massage techniques from almost all nationalities living in the country. During the first 30 minutes of the session, the massage therapist stretches the muscles, according to the Thai method, then performs a Chinese massage, stopping at acupuncture points, after which he applies aroma oil to the body and rubs it into the body with deep strokes, as was done in ancient India.
It is noteworthy that SPA resorts have long ceased to be an oasis for body and soul only for women. Men who come to Malaysia in search of effective wellness treatments can rejuvenate with the help of a special urut massage. A session of this massage consists of long dynamic tapping and light stroking. “Urut” is not considered exclusively as a component of a course of SPA procedures. This massage technique is offered to representatives of the stronger sex even in medical institutions in Malaysia. It has been proven that the “Urut” course of 9 procedures is very helpful in the treatment of infertility or sexual disorders in men.
SPA and sanatoriums:
Nasi lemak (coconut milk rice, traditionally served with meat and vegetables wrapped in banana leaves with a spicy sauce), satay (succulent spicy meat skewers, grilled and seasoned with spicy peanut sauce), penang royak (fruit dessert).
Batu Caves (limestone caves with temples), Tasik Perdana Lake Park (the oldest park in Malaysia, which is especially popular among tourists), National Museum of Malaysia, Gunung Mulu Nature Reserve (national park with the greatest biodiversity).
Tadau Kamatan (harvest festival in May), Flower Festival (July), Chinese New Year (February 1).
There are many reasons to go to Malaysia for treatment or health improvement. This amazing country offers many unique healing and restorative medical courses. and procedures. Moreover, prices for services here are considered to be among the lowest in the world, and the quality of treatment, on the contrary, is at a high level. Today InoStrannik offers you a guide to Malaysian medical institutions and health resorts.
Eastern hospitality
A patient who finds himself in a Malaysian clinic will most likely feel like he is in a hotel rather than a medical facility. There are no shabby walls, disgruntled nurses, or grumpy doctors. In Malaysian clinics, true oriental hospitality is fully demonstrated.
Communication with the staff is not difficult, as all the medical workers in Malaysia speak fluent English and patiently try to explain everything to everyone. Multinational, multilingual service staff adheres to different religions. Thus, in medical centers it is common to respect the religious feelings of patients and their cultural background.
The local doctors have academic titles received in educational institutions in the UK, Australia and the USA. Clinic staff have extensive experience in consultative and surgical practice not only in Malaysia, but throughout the world. Equally important is their sincere desire to create a welcoming, warm atmosphere in hospitals, necessary for the spiritual comfort of patients.
Malaysian clinics offer their patients a choice of accommodation from ordinary wards to luxury apartments, as well as a menu depending on preferences and religion, in addition, they provide the services of a doctor of the same gender as the patient.
Among the additional amenities, almost every medical facility has a cafe, as well as convenience stores and even flower shops in case one of the relatives wants to please the patient with a beautiful bouquet.
Malaysia has both general general medical centers and specialized institutions. For example, the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and the Tun Hussein Onn Eye Center have an international vocation.
Some clinics even have departments of traditional and alternative medicine, where herbal treatment and acupuncture are used.
It is better to prevent the disease
An examination in a clinic can become a source of valuable information about a person’s health status and help detect and prevent the development of a disease identified in a timely manner.
In Malaysian clinics, there are different types of diagnostic equipment, most of which allow you to “look” inside the human body to collect information about health conditions.
Often, all examinations can be completed within one day and you will receive results at the end of the visit. These types of programs can identify a variety of diseases that would otherwise appear only at a later stage of development. The examinations will show how successfully the body copes with stress, detect the onset of heart disease and help doctors give the patient recommendations for lifestyle changes. For example, a general diagnosis of the body’s condition in a Malaysian clinic will cost the patient an average of $150. This fee includes: specialist consultation, complete physical examination, chest x-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), vision test, complete blood count, lung examination, medical report and recommendations.
For example, a hospital in Kuala Lumpur offers a comprehensive program called “vacation medical examination”. This program allows you to undergo a complete examination of the body in a few days. Thus, you can combine a medical examination with a vacation in a beautiful country. The timing of the procedures is selected in such a way that the patient has time to attend excursions. The average cost of such a program is $386. The price includes: 3 nights of accommodation in a single room at a 4-star hotel, 3 buffet breakfasts, 1 dinner, transfer from the airport to the hotel and back, a fruit basket, a special program of examinations and counseling.
Alternative medicine
Thanks to the diversity of local cultures and rich natural resources, Malaysia has a myriad of wellness practices. Some of them are among the oldest on earth. The abundance of Malay, Chinese and Indian healing techniques contributes to the development of systems aimed at the complete restoration of the body.
An excellent selection of spa centers in Malaysia creates excellent conditions for relaxation and rejuvenation of the body. The country's spa centers also offer Balinese and Thai treatments.
Malay treatments use local medicinal herbs and plants containing natural vitamins and minerals. Be sure to experience the effects of the traditional herbal blend Jamu, which includes turmeric in particular. It is used to remove toxins from the body and strengthen overall physical condition. Jamu is used to make tonic drinks and pills, which are very popular in Malaysia and Indonesia due to the absence of chemical additives.
Enjoy a stress-relieving massage using local herbal oils, or try an invigorating body scrub. Soak in a warm, floral and herbal bath while savoring ginger tea. Take care of your hair with freshly prepared shampoos and conditioners made from herbs and fruits.
Ayurveda is very common in Malaysia. This is the world's oldest medical system for preserving and restoring health. It is believed to have originated in India about 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda literally translates to “Science of Life”. This medical practice has been recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an effective system of alternative medicine. There are many Ayurvedic clinics in Malaysia.
Acupressure (massage of biologically active points), which originated in the East, is also very popular in Malaysian clinics. Be sure to enjoy a reflexive foot massage or a Japanese shiatsu massage.
Many alternative medicine centers in Malaysia operate in hotels and resorts. Some of them have received worldwide recognition (Spa Village at Pangkor Laut Resort and Mandara SPA on Langkawi and Cherating).
In addition to medical centers, Malaysia is rich in natural health facilities. In the forested areas, among the gardens of Poring in Sabah, there are hot springs and cool ponds. Immersion in the healing waters here and in other areas of the country (Tambun, Pedas and Kulim on the Malacca Peninsula) is refreshing and rejuvenating, and is sure to help you remove all traces of fatigue after a long New Year's feast.
Anna Rumyantseva, Magazine about foreign real estate "
As Thailand and Vietnam gradually cease to be exotic destinations, a new star of the Asian region is rising on the tourism Olympus - Malaysia. This country not only preserves the traditions of Malay, Indian and Chinese cultures, but also offers guests all the benefits of technological progress. For many, “true Asia” - and this is what the locals like to call Malaysia - is associated with the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, pristine mangrove forests, friendly people, the world-famous sky bridge in Langkawi and a specific but delicious fruit durian
However, compared to its neighbors, Malaysia stands out in another aspect - medical tourism. By the way, half of the approximately 2,000 Malaysian students studying in Russia annually are students of medical universities. In addition, a strong connection with the former metropolis - Great Britain - helps the Malaysian healthcare industry to use all the latest developments in world medicine.
Availability and global standards
“Trips for health” as a trend have been especially actively developing over the past 15-20 years. The medical system in Malaysia is divided into two parts: public and private. The government controls the level of medical services provided in the country, ensuring high quality medicine and compliance with leading world standards. For example, clinics in Kuala Lumpur and Penang were among the first in the Asian region to receive a Joint Commission International (JCI) certificate confirming compliance with the highest standards in the field of healthcare services and recognized throughout the world. The quality of services is also guaranteed by the accreditation of the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH). Regular checks are carried out not only in public clinics, but also in private ones. Based on the results, an internal rating of the country’s medical institutions is compiled, the best of which can be found on the website of the state Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council.
And the results are noticeable. Thus, in 2015, the country was visited by over 850,000 tourists wishing to improve their health. The country receives numerous awards from the professional community. For example, according to the prestigious IMTJ Medical Travel Awards, Malaysia became the best country for medical tourism in the region in 2016. Several medical institutions also won best in their categories: Best International Hospital (Sunway Medical Centre), Best International Dental Clinic (Imperial Dental Specialists Centre), Best International Cosmetic Surgery Clinic (Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre), Best International Perinatal Center (TMC Fertility Centre) .
Such successes are primarily due to the combination of high quality medical care and reasonable prices - for example, in comparison with clinics in Israel and the USA in Malaysia you can save from 30 to 75% or more.
The Ideal Union: Nature and Alternative Practices
Hospitals and medical centers in Malaysia offer services in almost all popular areas: dentistry, cosmetology, dermatology, plastic surgery, transplantation, ophthalmology, general therapy, pediatrics, gynecology, andrology, urology, endocrinology, cardiology, nephrology, radiotherapy and radiosurgery, oncology.
An important reason for medical tourists choosing Malaysia is the conditions for post-operative recovery. The recovery is greatly facilitated by the country's climate - here you can engage in eco-travel all year round, relax at the sea or on high-mountain plantations. In addition to traditional recovery, Malaysia also offers various non-traditional healing practices - massages, herbal treatments, world-famous Ayurveda, acupressure - treatment through pressure on certain points of the body and acupuncture - the impact on the body with special needles. The latter trend is especially popular in Malaysia, and the famous Acupuncture Herbal and Medical Treatment Center in Kuala Lumpur is considered one of the best in the world. Guests of Malaysia also have thermal and mineral springs and baths - the most famous of them are located in Sabah, Pedas, Tambun.
It is noteworthy that not only private clinics, but also public hospitals are very actively resorting to non-traditional types of treatment and postoperative recovery.
Reliable, like in a hospital, comfortable, like at a resort
For those who value a high level of comfort during treatment, many clinics provide the opportunity to recover both within their own walls, in special high-comfort rooms, and in nearby hotels, where treatment is more like a vacation. Medical staff regularly visits patients and carries out the necessary procedures.
Interaction with the treating staff is facilitated by the almost complete absence of any language barrier. Firstly, the vast majority of Malaysian professionals undergo internships and training abroad and speak good English. Secondly, here you can easily hire a translator, which is often practiced among patients if they do not speak a foreign language. You can also choose a Russian-speaking specialist. By the way, quite a large number of Malaysian doctors studied in Russia, so upon returning to their homeland they speak Russian well.
A significant advantage of Malaysia in the field of medical tourism is the visa-free regime for Russians to stay in the country for 30 days. This is convenient for relatives and friends; you can come with your whole family without worrying about visa formalities.
When planning a trip to Malaysia, start with the website of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC MHTC – https://www.mhtc.org.my/). Here you will find basic information for patients and will be able to choose the best clinics in the country with which you will continue to communicate directly.