Securing 26 awards, Malaysia was commended for its excellent management of the Covid-19 pandemic and leadership in the healthcare sector, while private healthcare institutions were acknowledged for continued medical and service excellence.
Sherene Azli, then CEO of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), who was recognised for ‘Outstanding Leadership in Healthcare Travel’ said, “Amidst the ongoing pandemic, Malaysia’s healthcare still strives to exemplify the best practices in medical and service excellence, a testament to our global position as the World’s Healthcare Marvel.”
Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry has been recognised as a key driver for economic revitalisation, having earned RM1.7 billion in hospital receipts and contributed RM7 billion to the economy in 2019.
“Malaysian healthcare is seeing a positive economic rebound thanks to the Government’s support and the unwavering commitment of the private healthcare sector, as well as all our dedicated industry players along the value chain,” she added.
Shedding light on Malaysia Healthcare’s plans moving forward, Sherene explained, “Anchoring on collaborative efforts, Malaysia was among the first countries in the world to establish a medical travel bubble.
“This is our way of ensuring continuity of care, especially for those in need of continued treatment.
In addition to this, Malaysia healthcare will forge forward into the new future by exploring digitalisation in healthcare while pursuing aggressive branding and marketing efforts to keep Malaysia as the top-of-mind destination for healthcare when the borders eventually reopen.”
Malaysia’s world-class quality, easily accessible, and affordable healthcare continues to be commended by international bodies amidst the global pandemic. It was one of the countries that demonstrated the best Covid-19 response recognised by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Malaysia also reclaimed the coveted ‘Destination of the Year’ and ‘Cluster of the Year’ titles, each for the fourth time at the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ) Medical Travel Awards 2020 in London.
Sherene ended her term as CEO effective Jan 15, 2021.
During her six-year tenure as CEO, Sherene has catapulted Malaysia Healthcare’s standing in the healthcare travel industry, transforming the country from a Hidden Jewel of Asia to the World’s Healthcare Marvel.
Her driving force in fostering public-private partnerships behind a sustainable healthcare travel industry resulted in some of the country’s top industry commendations including the quadruple wins as the ‘Health and Medical Tourism: Destination of the Year’. — The Health
