On the 22nd January I left for a Medical Fam trip to Malaysia with a small group of myself from Canada and 6 Travel Agent Owner operators from the USA.  I must admit I was somewhat skeptical not really knowing what to expect. I knew we would be visiting 7 hospitals in various parts of Malaysia, but had no idea what to expect of the standards of Care, Equipment and Professional services. To say the least I was in for an informative trip and I was to be overwhelmed with the standards and the services.

This really was an eye opening experience. I was in Malaysia a couple of years ago at the Tourism Trade Show, and loved what I saw of the country at that time, but Medical Tourism had never even entered my head. To be truthful like many out there I have a healthy skepticism of Medical services and facilities in foreign countries. I was to be amazed with the standards of the Hospitals we visited. All the Hospitals were spotless even though some of them were older facilities or under renovation the cleanliness throughout could not be questioned.

We literally went into all the areas of the Hospitals, seeing the equipment, the labs, the dialysis facilities, emergency wards, ICU’s MRI’s, CAT scans, paediatric centres you name it we saw it. We were introduced to heads of departments, shown how equipment worked and met with many of the nursing staff. There was no doubt in my mind of the dedication and the caring of the nursing staff. Even the CEO’s of the Hospitals we were visiting didn’t hesitate to lend a helping hand with gurneys when we came across them coming out of elevators etc.

The wards themselves were fully equipped and had TV’s, telephones and call buttons, some even had the ability to move the bed and turn the room into a day room by sliding doors across the equipment built into the walls behind the beds. There were many wards that could have readily been mistaken for Hotel rooms, and some even had Murphy beds or pull out sofas for family members to stay with the patient. Surprise, surprise there were menus for meal choices.

The children’s wards had all been done out in themes for the kids and of course the play area for the kids. One thing that I thought was really good was that most of the Hospitals had arranged the layout so that everything connected to one specific service was on one floor. For instance everything for children was on one floor, the specialists, the pharmacy, the registration, the wards, the administration office, making it easier to find things and in this case preventing children from running around in areas they shouldn’t be. Another area where this was very noticeable was in the Cancer Treatment Facilities were they had a separate check in, separate waiting room,  the Radiology and the Chemotherapy, the specialists, the pharmacy and a cafeteria and even a retail shop that had prosthetics and wigs, making it more comfortable for the patients.

One area of particular interest was the wellness centres all promoting executive screening for both men and women with a wide array of tests and scans. In these days of preventive medicine they all had numerous preventive testing programs at a nominal cost, and we were assured that the Doctors themselves actually sit down with the patients at the end of the testing and go over in detail all the results. In a Province like BC were we have found it impossible to find a family doctor and have to attend whatever clinic is closest, and where my friend who has had the same doctor for 20 years is relegated to 10 minutes a visit and 2 questions (actually posted in the Doctor’s office) it is refreshing to know that Doctors in Malaysia still have time to spend time with the patients.

As for the qualifications of the Doctors they were top notch. Most have been certified internationally in North America, UK, Australia and Europe, many are guest speakers around the world and well renowned in scientific fields for their experiments and research. Some of the hospitals had permanent staff, some had some permanent with some guest specialists.  All were experts in their fields of speciality.

To top all this Malaysian prices are nominal compared to prices in North America. The example we were given to follow was that the charges when compared in US dollars were the same in Malaysian Ringits. For example if surgery was $25,000 US then it would be close to 25,000 Ringits is Malaysia. The Ringit runs around 3.5 to $1 US dollar, so this makes the cost in Malaysia approx. $7,150 US.

The wards themselves ranged from VIP Suites at around $180 US a night including meals and nursing services to around $60 a night for a single regular room. There were cheaper options for 2-6 bedded wards. All have nearby Hotels that offer special rates for recuperating patients and their companions, and transfers can be arranged directly from the airports to the Hospital. The Hospitals will even assist with immigration services for longer staying patients.

We visited several emergency and outpatient facilities and we were surprised at how quiet they were even if there were lots of people. Everyone appeared to be very respectful of everyone else there. We were shown how one hospital has installed a system to identify when cars or ambulances arrived at their doors and a team was immediately dispatched to take care of the arrival. We asked the inevitable question – how long does it take for a patient to be attended to in an emergency centre ?? – 5 minutes was the average, and another question – how long does it take for treatment before being taken to a ward or sent home?? – 60 minutes. Wow, I wish that could be said of here.

Several insurance companies are now starting to support the costs of overseas surgeries. In Canada Olympia Insurance is one of the first.  It makes sense as long as the standards are as high as they are in Malaysia as the cost savings are great. Not only that the long wait times in Canada especially for elective surgery are huge. 3-4 years for knee or hip replacements, just to name a couple. During that wait time patients deteriorate, spend a small fortune on medications and in general cannot lead a normal work or social life – this in itself adds to other problems such as overweight and emotional problems over not being as active as they would like.

Malaysia also has stem cell research programs and works with the UK, Europe and other countries to develop this area.

Of course Cosmetic surgery is big these days and just about all of the Hospitals we visited offered those surgeries. For those wanting surgery and combined holiday this is perfect. Kuala is a large city with lots of lakes, and sightseeing options, however Penang and Langkawi are well known beach resort areas and perfect for relaxation and recuperation on the beach.

We were told many times during our visit that the Politics in Malaysia are stable, that all races and religions are respected and treated equally and everything we saw supported this.

As you know doubt can tell from my enthusiastic write up, Malaysia is the perfect spot for Medical Tourism and we would be happy to assist anyone who wishes to know more about the various options open to them. For more information on Malaysia and the Hospitals particularly the ones visited please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at 604-524-3368 or by email at avril@a-ztravel.com – email is best for the quickest responses.

Day 1:
We flew out on Malaysian Airlines from LAX, a long tedious flight of 14 ½ hours especially as we had head winds averaging 337 KM’s per hour, slowing us up considerably. However, the seats were spacious with back of the seat Video and Games and the service was excellent. It was night all the way so most people slept as much as they could. This is when I wish I could sleep on a plane. We had a stop off in TAIPEI for 1 ½ hours before continuing the last 4 plus hours to Kuala Lumpur.

On arrival we transferred to the Traders Hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur. There are several things you notice right away, the country is clean, spotless, the drive from the airport to downtown Kuala is beautiful. Flowers and floral bushes along all the medians and a wide variety of beautiful buildings to view. They drive like the British on the right, and English is widely spoken, even the signage is in English, so it is easy to get around.

The Traders Hotel is a business Hotel belonging to the Shang Ri La Group, new and stunning with Crystal, Fountains and Marble everywhere. We received a warm welcome reception along with welcome drinks and hors d oeuvres. Our rooms where overlooking a park and the famous PetronasTowers making for a spectacular view especially with the lights on at night. http://www.tradershotels.com

Later that evening we visited “the Eye on Malaysia” at Taski Titiwangsa Lake, similar to the big wheel in London this is a large ferris wheel affording wonderful views of the city. We went onto the Saloma Bistro & Theatre Restaurant for a buffet dinner and local folk show. There were plenty of choices, chicken and fish are regular staples along with rice. I tend to be a meat and potatoes fan, so the food wasn’t my favorite thing, but if you like Asian food there were lots of choices and the rest of the group loved it all. The show was enjoyable, with dances from various parts of Malaysia.

Day 2:
Next morning after a great buffet breakfast at the Hotel (breakfasts were my favorite meal) we left for the National Heart Institute. We attended a presentation and then toured the whole facility. The Hospital is top of the line, clean as a whistle, the latest equipment, International certified Doctors and Specialists, and Nurses that are obviously dedicated to their work. http://www.ijn.com.my

Day 3:
After breakfast we checked out of the Traders and headed to Subang Jaya Medical Center.

Day 4:
An early breakfast and check out from the Hotel before heading to the airport for our transfer to Penang. The night before Max our driver had driven up to Penang with our heavy luggage and transferred it to the Hotel. He was waiting to pick us up on arrival. We proceeded to do some sightseeing visiting a Batik Factory, the Tropical Spice Garden, the Watchaiyamankalaran and Burmese temple, and a two Buddhist Temples before taking lunch at a local café and checking into the Park Royal Hotel. A good standard chain Hotel.  Enroute we passed the area where the tsunami has hit Penang. http://www.grandplaza.penang.parkroyalhotels.com

Personally I was not really aware that Malaysia had been caught up in the Tsunami – but Penang did take a severe toll. I guess one reason we haven’t really heard too much about it is that the Malaysian Government stepped in right away building temporary long houses sectioned into apartments while they built a brand new apartment complex for the victims. The apartment complex overlooks the sea and is almost ready for occupancy. We asked how much people would have to pay either in rent or payments for the units and how long they were allowed to stay in them. We were told they were completely free of charge to the victims. Amazing. Why is it we always hear the negative and never these kind of stories that warm the heart to what a Government can do if they put their mind to it.

After a short break we headed back into the city centre and took a Trishaw ride around Fort Cornwallis and the city. (Bicycles with seats on the front) Afterwards we spent some time at a local market shopping. On our return to the Hotel the others went to a local restaurant “the ship” which they really enjoyed. I was under the weather with an allergy the air conditioning affecting my throat and sinuses so I had an early night.

Day 5:
After an early breakfast at the Hotel (another good buffet) we departed for Penang Adventist Hospital for a presentation and site inspection. This Hospital has an American Administrator and is the sister Hospital to the Loma Linda in California.

The mission of the National Heart Institute (IJN) is to provide the best quality in cardiovascular and thoracic care, and to lead the way in research, development and training, and to continuously build their people.

They have a competent team of cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anaesthetists, paramedic and full support staff, with up-to-date equipment to handle emergencies and even the most complicated cases including heart transplants. They collaborate with renowned medical centres in the UK, Germany and India.

Day 6.
This morning after breakfast we depart for the airport for our transfer back to Kuala Lumpur. On our arrival Max is waiting for us and we drive about 2 hours to Melaka were we have lunch at Peranakan a Chinese style local restaurant.

We check into the Hotel Puri Melaka a small renovated Historic Hotel and then leave right away for a Heritage/City Tour. This city is a historic city with lots of charm and history, we visit BaBa & Nuonya and Cheng Ho Museum, Dutch Square, the Queen Victoria Fountain, the Clock Tower, St Paul’s Hill before returning to the Hotel for Dinner.

For a Historic Hotel the Hotel is great for those who enjoy more of a B&B, guest house atmosphere. The Hotel has charm and character, with an inside open courtyard restaurant and the rooms have all the latest facilities re TV and internet etc. but certainly not the same as the larger Hotels. I would recommend more for individuals than for groups.

Day 7.
After breakfast at the Hotel we departed for Pantai Ayer Keroh Hospital. http://www.pantai.com.my  The Pantai is a group of 8 Hospitals across Malaysia.

Day 8:
We had breakfast at the Hotel before heading to the airport and our trip home after what would be a most memorable and eye-opening trip.

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