Saturday February 14, 2009
Malaysian medical tourism growing
By ELAINE ANG
IN addition to being a tourist destination known for its cultural, historical and natural attractions, Malaysia is starting to make its mark as an affordable yet sophisticated healthcare hub in Asia.
Joining the ranks of their counterparts in Singapore and Thailand, many local private hospitals now have counters, staff, medical packages and special arrangements (such as accommodation and travel) to cater to foreign patients.
The efforts seem to have paid off as the number of foreigners visiting the country for medical tourism has more than tripled since 2003 to hit a total of 341,288 in 2007.
Datuk Dr Chan Kok Ewe
Medical tourism receipts have quadrupled to RM253.84mil during the same period. For the first nine months of 2008, over 282,000 foreigners came to Malaysia for medical treatment, generating a revenue of about RM222.25mil – a 16% increase from the year before.
According to the 2007 figures, about 72% of the foreign patients were from Indonesia, 10% from Singapore, 5% from Japan, 3% from Europe and 3% from India.
Penang, Malacca and Johor Baru are the favourite destinations. Currently, 35 private hospitals are earmarked to participate in the promotion of medical tourism in the country.
Slower growth
Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM) board member and chairman of the committee on database and medical tourism, Datuk Dr K. Kulaveerasingam, is projecting a 15% increase (compared with the past average of 20%-25%) in medical tourism receipts this year as fewer foreigners are expected to visit the country for medical treatment.
“Due to the economic slowdown, some medical tourists may postpone treatments which are not serious such as cosmetic surgery and even hip and knee surgeries,” he says.
Island Hospital Penang director and Penang Health Association chairman Datuk Dr Chan Kok Ewe expects flat growth for medical tourism for the group this year due to the slowdown and relative market saturation, especially in traditional markets.
Datuk Dr K. Kulaveerasingham
“Although we think the outlook is less encouraging, we should use this slack period to prepare for the next growth phase. To do this, we have to cultivate new markets with a structured strategy and guided investments,” he says.
He stresses that medical tourism has to be developed as a nationally committed project, which consists of decent national budgets rather than what individual private hospitals can afford to spend. “We have to think in terms of a national instead of private enterprise,” he says.
According to Chan, the majority of medical tourists visiting Penang are of Indonesian origin, who select Penang because of its proximity (to north Sumatra), convenience of travel, and ease of cultural and language adaptation.
Gross receipts for members of the Penang Health Association totalled RM156.53mil in 2007 and RM166.15mil in 2008. About 15% to 30% of the members’ patients comprise medical tourists.
The association comprises seven private hospitals in the state that jointly promote health tourism.
New markets
As part of the plan to expand market reach, Kulaveerasingam says Malaysia is targeting new markets such as Vietnam, Cambodia, the Middle East, United States, Europe and Canada.
APHM is collaborating with the Tourism Ministry to publish in July the Malaysian edition of a book series called Patients Beyond Borders, written by Josef Woodman, to promote Malaysia as a medical tourism destination globally with special focus on the US.
Kulaveerasingam also stresses the importance of branding for the country’s medical tourism industry to provide a better platform to market and promote the product.
“We are working on a video on Malaysian healthcare that can be used when we promote Malaysia overseas. We are also coming out with brochures that take a more holistic view of Malaysian healthcare to appeal to medical tourists,” he says.
He adds that despite the challenging economic climate, medical tourism still has a pretty positive outlook boosted by new market penetration.
According to Abacus international, Asia’s medical tourism industry is expected to be worth at least US$4bil by 2012.
Research also shows that a medical tourist spends double the amount of normal tourist – US$362 compared with US$144 per day.
Competition buster
Industry players together with government agencies will have to work hard to ensure that Malaysia can compete with the likes of Singapore and Thailand, which have made a name for themselves in the medical tourism industry.
Sunway Medical Centre chief operating officer Ch’ng Lin Ling points out that the Health Ministry and Tourism Malaysia will have to team up to promote the image of Malaysia as a tourist hub for leisure, travel and healthcare.
It is also important for tour agents to further promote Malaysia in travel and healthcare, she adds.
To Sime Darby Healthcare chief executive officer Elaine Cheong Pek Yin, one of the ways for Malaysia to better compete with Singapore and Thailand is to have a central government agency headed by an expert on dynamic medical and healthcare marketing and promotion.
This can boost the efforts to brand Malaysian healthcare in a coordinated and systematic manner.
“Medical travel to Malaysia should be seriously acknowledged as a vital source of tourism revenue for the country.
“Hence, concerted efforts must be made to ensure that healthcare providers in Malaysia are internationally accredited and that they subscribe to a high level of clinical and service excellence, besides having superior technology and patient-oriented facilities,” she says.
Sime Darby Healthcare comprises Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya, Sime Darby Specialist Centre Megah and Sime Darby College of Nursing & Health Sciences.
Medical tourism hub
OSK Research remains optimistic about the medical tourism industry in Malaysia and believes the industry will remain robust and resilient despite the slowdown.
For one thing, the majority of medical tourists to Malaysia seek curative medical treatment instead of procedures for aesthetic purposes.
Therefore, such patients will seek treatment regardless of whether there is a recession or not, whereas those considering treatment for aesthetic reasons may defer their decision, OSK says.
“Given that Indonesia accounts for the biggest number of medical tourists to Singapore and Malaysia, the economic slowdown might result in some of Indonesian patients seeking treatment in Malaysia instead of Singapore, due to the cheaper costs,” it notes.
OSK says Malaysia also has the potential to steal market share from Thailand as the political turmoil in Thailand has resulted in a significant drop in the numbers of general and medical tourist arrivals.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Losing weight is the herb and spice of life
Losing weight is the herb and spice of life
By : AUDREY VIJAINDREN
Email to friend Print article
Losing those love handles after overindulging at all the Raya ‘rumah terbuka’, is never easy, but a health expert tells AUDREY VIJAINDREN that the secret to shedding those extra kilos can be found in the kitchen
THE multiple servings of rendang, the generous helpings of ketupat and the side dishes of serunding may not only have added to the Hari Raya festivity, but also to your waistline.
However, you don't have to blow all your duit raya on an expensive weight-loss programme.
Affordable and natural rem-edies can be found in herb and spice bottles in the kitchen.
For centuries, herbs and spices have been used to add flavour to meals.
Lately, they have taken on a bigger role. They're helping weight-conscious Malaysians fight the bulge the natural way.
Nutrition physiologist Rebecca Tay Sook Hui says herbs and spices are no longer secondary ingredients as they can promote weight loss.
Psyllium, Tay says, is one of the most popular herbs used in weight control. Over the past year, it's been a key ingredient in many shakes and weight-loss products.
"Psyllium is the husk of the seed of the plantain and is a top herb used in weight control and for intestinal health.
"It contains a spongy fibre that reduces appetite, improves digestion and cleanses the system, making it an excellent choice for healthy dieting."
Other herbs, she says, like cayenne, ginger and mustard seed are just as helpful in a weight-management regime.
"These herbs are thermogenics, meaning they boost one's metabolic rate and are great for the digestive system.
"Cayenne has been shown to raise metabolic rates by as much as 25 per cent.
"It has also been used for centuries as a pain killer, treat ulcers, improve circulation, boost the immune system and aid digestion."
Diuretic activity also plays a role in the fight against the kilos.
Herbs like alfalfa, juniper, parsley, uva ursi, yarrow, dandelion and lemon are known for their diuretic properties.
"Dandelion leaves have confirmed diuretic activity and laxative. It has a gentle stimulating effect on the metabolic system.
"It removes fatty acids from the bloodstream (which lowers cholesterol), helping the body lose weight.
"Drinking lemon water or adding it to tea before meals also helps digestion and utilisation of fats."
Cinnamon, a favourite with doughnut and pastry lovers, is another miracle spice.
"Cinnamon is one of the oldest remedies used in traditional Chinese remedies for digestive support.
"Recent studies have shown that cinnamon may support healthy blood sugar levels.
"Steeping your favourite herbal drink or tea with cinnamon adds flavour to it and improves your natural weight-loss efforts."
Tay says when it is sprinkled on toast, biscuit, coffee, meat, soup or salad, one can enjoy similar benefits.
"Cinnamon is also particularly good with lamb in curries and Greek dishes. Use it in beef stews and chili.
"Try it with grains such as rice pilaf, couscous and pearl barley as well as legumes like lentils and split peas."
Another small wonder in your kitchen is garlic.
"Garlic contains many sulphur compounds which detoxify the body, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and improve circulation, indirectly improving weight management.
"But garlic can irritate the digestive tracts of young children or when over-eaten. It may also interact with Warfarin, a blood-thinning drug. So it has to be taken carefully."
She says skipping meals to lose weight is a bad idea. Taking meal replacements with soy is a more effective way to shed kilogs.
"Many researches show that when soy consumption goes up, weight goes down.
"Soy has an effect on these mechanisms and hormones that are induced in the body to help us degrade lipids and reduce body weight. It boosts metabolism and preserves muscle."
Although herbs and spices have been around for centuries, Tay says, people prefer quick over-the-counter fixes.
"If one can include 'weight-management herbs' on a daily basis, the success rate could be high.
"However, the solution provided by over-the-counter re-medies is preferred by some because they are more handy.
"People like fast solutions that are in a tablet or concentrated form."
But weight loss has to be in moderation.
"One should plan on no more than a reduction of two pounds weekly to maintain a healthy body and achieve a more permanent effect.
"One should understand that by skipping meals, especially breakfast, or adopting a low-calorie diet your met-abolism slows down, making it more difficult to lose weight and keep it off."
But before stocking up on herbs, it's important to know that there's no short cut to weight loss.
"With any weight-loss programme, a person's eating habit needs to change. Herbs can help a great deal by reducing cravings and leaving one feeling fuller and more satisfied.
"But the best overall approach to weight management is a holistic one. A well-balanced mind, body and spirit offer one the greatest mental control, joy and fulfilment."
By : AUDREY VIJAINDREN
Email to friend Print article
Losing those love handles after overindulging at all the Raya ‘rumah terbuka’, is never easy, but a health expert tells AUDREY VIJAINDREN that the secret to shedding those extra kilos can be found in the kitchen
THE multiple servings of rendang, the generous helpings of ketupat and the side dishes of serunding may not only have added to the Hari Raya festivity, but also to your waistline.
However, you don't have to blow all your duit raya on an expensive weight-loss programme.
Affordable and natural rem-edies can be found in herb and spice bottles in the kitchen.
For centuries, herbs and spices have been used to add flavour to meals.
Lately, they have taken on a bigger role. They're helping weight-conscious Malaysians fight the bulge the natural way.
Nutrition physiologist Rebecca Tay Sook Hui says herbs and spices are no longer secondary ingredients as they can promote weight loss.
Psyllium, Tay says, is one of the most popular herbs used in weight control. Over the past year, it's been a key ingredient in many shakes and weight-loss products.
"Psyllium is the husk of the seed of the plantain and is a top herb used in weight control and for intestinal health.
"It contains a spongy fibre that reduces appetite, improves digestion and cleanses the system, making it an excellent choice for healthy dieting."
Other herbs, she says, like cayenne, ginger and mustard seed are just as helpful in a weight-management regime.
"These herbs are thermogenics, meaning they boost one's metabolic rate and are great for the digestive system.
"Cayenne has been shown to raise metabolic rates by as much as 25 per cent.
"It has also been used for centuries as a pain killer, treat ulcers, improve circulation, boost the immune system and aid digestion."
Diuretic activity also plays a role in the fight against the kilos.
Herbs like alfalfa, juniper, parsley, uva ursi, yarrow, dandelion and lemon are known for their diuretic properties.
"Dandelion leaves have confirmed diuretic activity and laxative. It has a gentle stimulating effect on the metabolic system.
"It removes fatty acids from the bloodstream (which lowers cholesterol), helping the body lose weight.
"Drinking lemon water or adding it to tea before meals also helps digestion and utilisation of fats."
Cinnamon, a favourite with doughnut and pastry lovers, is another miracle spice.
"Cinnamon is one of the oldest remedies used in traditional Chinese remedies for digestive support.
"Recent studies have shown that cinnamon may support healthy blood sugar levels.
"Steeping your favourite herbal drink or tea with cinnamon adds flavour to it and improves your natural weight-loss efforts."
Tay says when it is sprinkled on toast, biscuit, coffee, meat, soup or salad, one can enjoy similar benefits.
"Cinnamon is also particularly good with lamb in curries and Greek dishes. Use it in beef stews and chili.
"Try it with grains such as rice pilaf, couscous and pearl barley as well as legumes like lentils and split peas."
Another small wonder in your kitchen is garlic.
"Garlic contains many sulphur compounds which detoxify the body, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and improve circulation, indirectly improving weight management.
"But garlic can irritate the digestive tracts of young children or when over-eaten. It may also interact with Warfarin, a blood-thinning drug. So it has to be taken carefully."
She says skipping meals to lose weight is a bad idea. Taking meal replacements with soy is a more effective way to shed kilogs.
"Many researches show that when soy consumption goes up, weight goes down.
"Soy has an effect on these mechanisms and hormones that are induced in the body to help us degrade lipids and reduce body weight. It boosts metabolism and preserves muscle."
Although herbs and spices have been around for centuries, Tay says, people prefer quick over-the-counter fixes.
"If one can include 'weight-management herbs' on a daily basis, the success rate could be high.
"However, the solution provided by over-the-counter re-medies is preferred by some because they are more handy.
"People like fast solutions that are in a tablet or concentrated form."
But weight loss has to be in moderation.
"One should plan on no more than a reduction of two pounds weekly to maintain a healthy body and achieve a more permanent effect.
"One should understand that by skipping meals, especially breakfast, or adopting a low-calorie diet your met-abolism slows down, making it more difficult to lose weight and keep it off."
But before stocking up on herbs, it's important to know that there's no short cut to weight loss.
"With any weight-loss programme, a person's eating habit needs to change. Herbs can help a great deal by reducing cravings and leaving one feeling fuller and more satisfied.
"But the best overall approach to weight management is a holistic one. A well-balanced mind, body and spirit offer one the greatest mental control, joy and fulfilment."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
