Exploring Malaysia: Beyond the skyscrapers, a rising destination for healthcare and education

MANILA, Philippines — Malaysia, with its rich culture and iconic architectural marvels like the Petronas Towers and Merdeka 118, has long been a tourist favorite. Yet, beyond these towering landmarks lies a Malaysia that offers much more than meets the eye.

Amidst the bustling urban landscape, the Southeast Asian country has been emerging as a hotspot for healthcare services and educational opportunities, drawing visitors from around the world.

With its close proximity to the Philippines, just a four-hour flight from Manila, Malaysia becomes an even more attractive and convenient option for Filipinos in search of top-notch healthcare and educational opportunities abroad.

In a recent trip hosted by Tourism Malaysia, Philstar.com had the opportunity to visit and witness Malaysia’s high-caliber hospitals and educational institutions, gaining firsthand insight into the country's growing appeal in these sectors.

The Malaysian brand of healthcare

Malaysia Healthcare Lounge at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 1 Philstar.com/Jap Tobias

Travelers from abroad come to Malaysia for medical treatments for good reason. Its globally recognized medical tourism industry is renowned for its world-class facilities, internationally trained health professionals and cost-effective healthcare services.

The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), an agency under the country’s health ministry that aims to boost medical tourism, has noted a recovery to pre-pandemic level with 850,000 healthcare travelers recorded in 2022.

MHTC currently has 97 Member Facilities accredited by international bodies, committed to delivering high-quality healthcare services, especially in the areas of cardiology, fertility, cancer care, premium wellness