Revitalising Medical Tourism In Southeast Asia

Medical tourism in Southeast Asia has been an important part of the economy for countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Due to travel restrictions during the covid pandemic, this sector had been adversely affected. The article by Medical Tourism magazine “Southeast Asia: Rebuilding Medical Tourism Amid the Pandemic” discusses the impact of the pandemic on this industry in Southeast Asia, and how the region is rebuilding its medical tourism sector.

8 Key Takeaways From Article On Medical Tourism In Southeast Asia

Here are 8 key takeaways from the article:

1. Medical tourism is a significant contributor to the regional economy.
2. In addition to health buyers from within Southeast Asia, there are millions from other countries such as China, the US and the UK, that travel to seek health screenings and medical treatment, including cancer treatments and high-end surgeries.  
3. International patients travel to Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand for world-class medical care that cost a fraction for similar treatments in countries like the US. In many instances, it may be up to 70% cheaper than in the US. For instance, it costs approximately US$92,000 for a coronary artery bypass graft in the US versus US$17,000 in Malaysia.
4. The COVID-19 pandemic has however severely affected the industry in the region, decreasing the number of medical tourists.
5. These Southeast Asian countries are now implementing measures to revitalise the industry.
6. Countries such as Thailand and Malaysia are investing in digital marketing to attract medical tourists, with telemedicine becoming an increasingly important tool in the medical tourism industry in Southeast Asia.
7. There is a need for standardisation and accreditation of medical tourism facilities to ensure quality care and safety for patients. The ASEAN region is working towards harmonising regulations and procedures to facilitate medical tourism.
8. The future of the industry in the region looks positive, with the region’s reputation for high-quality medical care and competitive pricing.