KUALA LUMPUR: Seeing an aggressive growth in the medical tourism in Malaysia, KPJ Healthcare Bhd (KPJ Healthcare) is now aiming to increase up to ten per cent in the number of its foreign patients in five years time.
Citing a recent report from Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, KPJ’s Chief operating officer, Amiruddin Abdul Satar, said there has been a continual growth in the industry in terms of revenue from foreign patients.
“The growth signifies the continuing efforts by the government and related agencies which have been very supportive and aggressive in promoting Malaysia as the preferred medical tourism destination,” he told Bernama.
KPJ has not been excluded in the enjoyment of the benefits from these endeavours, he added.
Nevertheless, there are improvements companies would have to undertake to enhance their quality especially in terms of customer services, he said, adding that KPJ’s foreign patients segment contribute less than five per cent to their revenue.
There are many areas to improve in providing these special services such as having employees who can talk in foreign languages like Arabic, and also customising treatments and services in accordance with their cultures, he said.
On the company’s operation overseas, Amiruddin said the company has been performing well in two hospitals in Indonesia and one retirement and age care resort in Australia. There are still a lot of opportunities to expand the business, especially in Indonesia with its huge market and where the company hopes to build more hospitals, he said.
“There are also few proposals in our hands to penetrate other markets especially in Asia but we are still evaluating them to decide whether the investments can create profit for us,” he added.
KPJ, the healthcare arm of Johor Corporation, operates Malaysia’s largest network of 22 private specialist hospitals. — Bernama