IN A monumental achievement for the nation, two Malaysian hospitals have been recognised in the highly respected Newsweek & Statista's World's Best Hospitals 2024.
According to Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) in a statement, this marks Malaysia's first-ever inclusion, signifying a pivotal moment in its journey towards becoming a global leader in medical tourism.
MHTC Chief Executive Officer Dr Mohamed Ali Abu Bakar said: “This recognition serves as a testament to the dedication and expertise of our healthcare professionals, as well as the continuous advancements being made in our healthcare infrastructure and patient care protocols.
“It significantly strengthens Malaysia's position as a leading destination for medical tourism. International patients can now be confident in choosing Malaysia for high-quality, affordable, and internationally accredited healthcare services delivered with compassion and cultural sensitivity.”
Bernama reported that the listed hospitals, Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur and Sunway Medical Centre, are esteemed members of the MHTC.
This achievement demonstrates the hospitals' firm commitment to elevating the quality of healthcare and attracting international patients by providing exceptional care and world-class facilities to patients worldwide, Dr Mohamed Ali said.
A check with the Newsweek website showed that Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur is ranked at number 223, while Sunway Medical Centre is at number 233.
Newsweek said that it partnered with Statista for its annual ranking of the world's best hospitals, a series that began in March 2019. This year, the list includes data on 2,400 hospitals across 30 countries.
For the first time, Malaysia and Chile have been added to the ranking, which also includes the US, most of Western Europe and Scandinavia, ten Asian countries, Australia and countries elsewhere in the Americas, the magazine said in its report.
The top slot is occupied by Mayo Clinic - Rochester (US).
The others in the top ten are, in descending order: Cleveland Clinic (US), Toronto General - University Health Network (Canada), The Johns Hopkins Hospital (US), Massachusetts General Hospital (US), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Germany), Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset (Sweden), AP-HP - Hôpital Universitaire Pitié Salpêtrière (France), Sheba Medical Center (Israel), and Universitätsspital Zürich (Switzerland).
Interestingly, there are seven other establishments from Southeast Asia featured in the world list.
They are: Singapore General Hospital (number 11), National University Hospital, Singapore (79), Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore (110), Mount Elizabeth Hospital - Orchard, Singapore (116), Bumrungrad International Hospital, Thailand (130), Changi General Hospital, Singapore (156), and Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore (167).
Meanwhile, MHTC also announced 20 out of 30 hospitals that made it into the World’s Best Hospitals 2024 (Malaysia) list are MHTC’s members, including Institut Jantung Negara (National Heart Institute) – Cardiology; Island Hospital; KPJ Puteri Specialist Hospital; Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh; Prince Court Medical Centre; and Subang Jaya Medical Centre.
This momentous achievement paves the way for continued advancements in the Malaysian healthcare sector, attracting investments, fostering innovation, and ultimately enhancing the overall patient experience, he said.
With a commitment to excellence and a growing international reputation, Malaysia is poised to become the premier choice for healthcare travellers seeking superior medical care and exceptional value, Bernama reported
Over 80,000 medical professionals from thirty countries participated in the survey, whereby the rigorous evaluation process involved recommendations based on expertise, experience, peer recognition, patient outcomes, hygiene, patient safety, and advanced medical technology. – The Vibes, March 8, 2024
