MHTC Shortlists 4 Centres for Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Program

Malaysia launched its first -ever Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Program on Thursday, March 16, at the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council's (MHTC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

The event was graced by Health Minister YB Dr. Zaliha Mustafa, who announced the four finalists for the programme. According to the MHTC, these are the Institut Jantung Negara, Island Hospital Penang, Mahkota Medical Centre, and Subang Jaya Medical Centre, who were selected after a rigorous process.

The Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Program aims to be "the new benchmark in global health care tourism," as per the KKM via Facebook on the same day. It will see the four finalists showcase its medical and service excellence to help position Malaysia as an icon of health care tourism globally.

According to an MHTC statement via national news agency Bernama on March 17, the four hospitals will now advance to the Acceleration Period 2023-2025, which would grant these institutions incentives to reach its development goals.

Dr. Mustafa was also quoted as saying that the finalists will be entitled to a Special Investment Tax Allowance (ITA) to help support their expenditures during the acceleration phase. She added that the ITA will involve technology investments to "[drive] digital transformation in health care."