Penang listed by CNBC

Penang has been listed by CNBC as a highly recommended place to seek medical treatment not only because of its competitive price but also for its well educated community.

The hospitals are staffed with highly trained doctors and nurses as well as having excellent and modern facilities. For the families accompanying the patients, Penang has much to offer in term of temporary lodging, shopping and getting around.

Medical tourism has helped to push Penang to a more service-based economy. CNBC's Adam Bakhtiar reports on what's driving patients to Penang.

CNBC(officially the Consumer News and Business Channel, until 1991) is a U.S. News and satellite television business news channel in the U.S.

Thursday August 20, 2009
CNBC features Penang hospitals

PENANG has been featured in a CNBC video which promoted its medical tourism.

State Tourism, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said the news network broadcast a six-minute video last Friday highlighting the reasons why patients chose Penang.

“We offer high quality ser-vices with more affordable pricing compared to Singapore as well as some western and European countries.

“So coming to Penang to seek medical treatment is like coming for a holiday as the state is a vacation destination with lots to offer,” Law said yesterday.

He said medical tourism not only helped the medical industry as other industries like airlines, hotels and food also benefited.

The video clip can be seen at http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1214756303&play=1.

Law said Penang Health Association chairman Datuk Dr Chan Kok Ewe was quo- ted in the broadcast as sa-ying that the state reco- rded RM171mil in profit from medical tourism last year with the figure expected to increase to RM180mil this year.

“The earning is two-thirds of the RM250mil profit from medical tourism nationwide. Dr Chan also said we had 212,000 foreign patients last year and the number is expected to climb to 230,000 this year.

“We have a steady 15% growth in the industry each year. This is good despite the current economic slowdown,” Law said.

He said the state government was grateful to all private hospitals for their initiative and continuous effort to upgrade their facilities and services.

(source: The Star)