Issues and challenges in medical tourism: an interdisciplinary perspective
Medical tourism is a new and exciting industry due to its rapid growth and huge economic potential, estimated to be worth USD 4 billion for the Asian chapter (Deloitte, 2008). Malaysia is joining the bandwagon with Thailand, Singapore and India being the main medical tourist destination countries...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Conference or Workshop Item |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2013
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/42736/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/42736/ http://irep.iium.edu.my/42736/1/issues_and_chellenges_in_medical_-_noor_hazilah.pdf |
| Summary: | Medical tourism is a new and exciting industry due to its rapid growth and huge economic potential,
estimated to be worth USD 4 billion for the Asian chapter (Deloitte, 2008). Malaysia is joining the
bandwagon with Thailand, Singapore and India being the main medical tourist destination countries
in Asia. Factors such as excessive medical costs in rich countries, long waiting lists, relative
affordability of international air travel, favourable economic exchange rates, and the ageing of the
affluent baby-boomer generation has contributed to the growth of the industry. Convergence in global
healthcare standard also meant that hospitals in other parts of the world can be as good, if not better,
than those in the developed west. While the industry holds much promise, issues and challenges faced
need to be addressed. The paper explores challenges from human resource, trade, information
technology and legal perspectives. The large presence of medical tourists also do place pressure and
demand on existing healthcare system. Thus, there is a need to balance the welfare and well-being of
Malaysians at large against the extra income generated by medical tourism. |
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