In 2005, the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) established a small unit to promote the country’s fledgling medical tourism industry. As the industry grew, so did the government’s recognition of the need for a facilitating agency to drive the development of the industry, leading to the launch of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council as a formal entity within the MOH on the 3rd of July 2009, upon the approval of the Malaysian Cabinet.

Now with its own logo and tagline “Quality Care for Your Peace of Mind”, MHTC sought to create a brand for Malaysia Healthcare, showcasing the country’s dual heritage of warm hospitality and world-class healthcare services under one value proposition. In tandem, the Council strove to streamline healthcare service providers and industry players in both the private and government sectors, to create a comprehensive and holistic healthcare travel ecosystem.

MHTC was eventually incorporated as a standalone entity in 2011, which allowed it greater flexibility to operate as a coordinating agency for the healthcare travel industry in Malaysia. Today, under the Ministry of Finance (MOF), MHTC continues with its mandate of raising Malaysia’s profile as a leading provider of quality healthcare for global citizens. They strive to create value-added public-private partnerships and government-to-government initiatives, domestically and internationally, for the continued and sustainable growth of the Malaysian healthcare travel industry.

There are over 250 private healthcare facilities in Malaysia. However, only healthcare facilities that are well-equipped and have the capacity to receive and serve health travellers are approved and registered to be participating healthcare tourism providers in Malaysia. A selection committee consisting of representatives from both the private and government sector stringently evaluate and select these medical providers to ensure that standards of service and quality medical care provided within the industry are continuously upheld.