Global Health Asia-Pacific September 2020 September 2020 | Page 74

SPONSORED FEATURE
Dear Readers,
2020 may have thrown us a curveball in the form of COVID-19, but we continue to steadily embrace the new normal as we head into the
third quarter of the year. Despite rough tides, we have sailed strong as the World’s Healthcare Marvel during these unprecedented times
thanks to our solid foundation in pandemic preparedness, one which has won us global recognition, and further boosting our world class
quality healthcare. As we open our borders, healthcare travellers can trust that their healthcare journey experience will be seamless, and
more importantly, safe.
Brain Matter: The Often-Misunderstood Neurodegenerative Diseases
This edition will place focus on two of the most common neurodegenerative diseases – Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Statistics from the
World Healthcare Organization indicate that approximately 60 million people worldwide suffer from these diseases, with Alzheimer’s claiming
the majority with 50 million. Both diseases are caused by deteriorating brain cells, and the symptoms associated with them can be severe.
In many instances, those afflicted with these diseases fall into depression and anxiety. Combined with already compromised health, their
quality of life plummets even further and can take a toll on their loved ones as well.
Although there are no known cures for Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, our role is to ensure that healthcare travellers experience a seamless
journey. As the World’s Healthcare Marvel, we have excellent capabilities in the field of neurology. Along with our world-class healthcare
system, unparalleled patient care and high standards approved by the Ministry of Health, healthcare travellers can enjoy peace of mind,
assured that their medical needs are well taken care of.
The Global Prevalence of Diabetes
Another area of focus in this edition is diabetes, which occurs when your blood glucose is too high and your body either does not produce
insulin or does not use insulin well. Although 422 million people worldwide suffer from diabetes, with 1.6 million deaths and many more with
prediabetes, a high percentage of the them have no awareness of the consequences and eventual side effects of the disease – namely
diabetic neuropathy and nephropathy.
Many are presumptive that long term medical costs for diabetic care is the same globally, but they are not. In fact, the cost of diabetic
medication in Malaysia is six to eight times lower than the United States, making it much more cost-effective alternative for healthcare
travellers. This type of affordable healthcare will reduce long term definitive diabetic side effects and therefore reduce mortality.
Winning the War Against COVID-19
COVID-19 may have caught us unprepared, but our response to it has proved our mettle. Today, Malaysia has been recognised as one of
the five nations in the world to have succeeded in containing the spread of COVID-19. This is a demonstration of how advanced and robust
the Malaysian healthcare system is – being able to perform well amidst such an extreme health crisis and showing that we are indeed the
World’s Healthcare Marvel.
In light of this, the Government has made the decision to open our international borders to healthcare travellers from select countries. This
serves as a positive indicator for Malaysia’s economy as it marks a significant rebound for the healthcare travel industry which is a crucial
contributor to our country’s GDP.
While we are excited with this progress, we are also aware that we must tread carefully. Patient safety has been and will always be top priority
for us, especially within the healthcare sector. Hence, Malaysia Healthcare continuously works closely with healthcare providers and the
Ministry of Health to develop and implement stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in ensuring the safety of healthcare travellers.
Updates on SOPs for medical tourists can be found on our social media pages at Facebook and Twitter.
Additionally, Malaysia Healthcare’s annual medical travel market intelligence conference, insigHT2020 is set to take place virtually from
23-26 November. We are shifting gears to the digital sphere via dynamic conversations with stakeholders to ensure a dedicated presence
of Malaysia Healthcare across target markets. We are also maximising the potential of our digital platforms to enhance our brand image
as the go-to healthcare travel destination. This ranges from enhancing hospitals’ telemedicine infrastructure, enabling medication delivery
services, to even beefing up cross-border digital payments.
We will also proceed with our virtual Medical Travel Media Awards 2020 (MTMA2020), the first and only awards ceremony in the world that
celebrates journalists and media agencies for their contributions in promoting the medical travel industry. This year, we have introduced
more categories for media from around the world to participate in. To know more about our planned initiatives and to stay abreast with the
latest news from Malaysia Healthcare, do visit our website at https://www.mhtc.org.my/.
As we continue to navigate unchartered waters, we must remain optimistic and remember that while Malaysia may have a significantly
reduced its number of infections, we must persist to be cautious and vigilant. The battle is far from over and Malaysia is where it is today as
a result of the commitment and steadfastness of its people in adhering to health and safety measures. I urge all Readers to do our part in
collectively battling Covid-19 and look forth to brighter days ahead.
Thank you.
#KitaMenangSamaSama #KitaJagaKita
Sherene Azli has been the CEO
of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel
Council since 2015. She has
over 16 years of experience in
strategic business development.