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Ahmadul Kobir, Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia is taking new steps to make the process of seeking medical treatment easier and more patient-friendly for Bangladeshi patients, with a focus on improving support before, during and after treatment, expanding telemedicine services and strengthening healthcare cooperation between the two countries.
As part of the initiative, a delegation from the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), led by its Chief Executive Officer Dato’ SuriaGhandi Suppiah, met Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia H.E. Manjurul Karim Khan Chowdhury at the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Members of the MHTC Board of Directors were also present at the meeting.
Mahbub Alam Shah, Adviser to the Bangladesh-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Executive Chairman of the Malaysia Bangladesh Development and Trade Relations Association, also attended the discussion.
Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner Shahanara Monica, First Secretary (Commerce) Pranab Kumar Ghosh and Third Secretary (Political) S.M. Sayem were also present.
The discussions focused on reducing the difficulties Bangladeshi patients may encounter at different stages of seeking treatment in Malaysia and making their overall healthcare journey smoother and more seamless.
The meeting discussed access to healthcare services, patient support, post-treatment follow-up and maintaining communication with patients through telemedicine and other digital healthcare services.
Participants also stressed the need for stronger coordination among stakeholders in Malaysia’s medical tourism ecosystem, including hospitals, MHTC, patient-support service providers and other relevant institutions.
Those involved in the sector believe that a patient’s experience of travelling abroad for treatment depends on far more than the quality of medical care received at a hospital.
The process often begins well before the patient arrives in the destination country and can involve visa arrangements, travel planning, communication with hospitals, accommodation, treatment, recovery and follow-up care after returning home.
Stronger coordination and integrated support across these stages could help reduce difficulties for patients while increasing confidence in Malaysia as a healthcare travel destination, participants said.
The meeting followed MHTC’s recent engagement in Bangladesh, where discussions were held with the country’s health authorities on healthcare cooperation and medical tourism.
The latest meeting at the Bangladesh High Commission is being seen as part of continuing efforts to strengthen communication and practical cooperation between the healthcare sectors of Malaysia and Bangladesh.
The discussions are aimed not only at promoting Malaysia as a destination for Bangladeshi patients but also at identifying areas of cooperation that can provide direct and practical benefits to patients.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for another Malaysia Healthcare Week in Bangladesh. Ahead of the event, efforts are being made to further strengthen connections among Bangladeshi patients, healthcare professionals and Malaysian medical institutions.
Stakeholders expect the latest initiatives to make the process of seeking treatment in Malaysia easier, more efficient and better coordinated for Bangladeshi patients.
The growing engagement between MHTC and Bangladeshi institutions could also help deepen broader healthcare and medical tourism cooperation between the two countries in the coming years.
