KPJ Healthcare Berhad

KPJ's one stop centre for foreign patients

KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital is helping to boost medical tourism

The state s medical tourism received a shot in the arm with the opening of an International Patient Office (IPO) at a private hospital here.

In line with the Visit Malaysia Year 2014, travel agents can now market medical tourism with the launch of a one-stop
service centre catering to foreign patients at KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital.

KPJ executive director and chief executive officer Norita Ahmad said the hospital hoped the IPO will attract tourists to Malaysia as they seek medical treatment.

"KPJ Johor offers various health packages to cater to the needs of each patient. Indonesian patients make up the highest number of foreigners seeking medical treatment here. They are from the Riau islands such as Batam, Tanjung Balai and TanjungPinang.

"Most of them come to KPJ Johor for elective medical procedures such as oncology, cardiology, urology and cosmetic," said Norita, adding that the number of patients from Indonesia has increased to 15,709 or + 7.7 per cent last year compared with 14,105 in the
previous year.

In the first five months of the year, the number of foreign patients has reached 7,600 and is expected to increase further.

Services available in IPO include the management of the patient's appointment with the clinic for health screening, assistance in reservations for hotel accommodation, transport, holiday packages and foreign currency exchange.

Johor tourism, domestic trade and consumerism committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong was the guest' of honour at the launch.

Tee said the cooperation from the hotels in Johor Baru will increase the income of KPJ Johor and the tourism industry in Johor as a
whole.

"KPJ Johor is the first private hospital in the state to be accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) from the US in March.

"This has added a feather in its cap. It will ensure the quality of clinical standards and promote medical tourism by attracting more international patients to seek treatment at the hospital," he said.

Tee added that the state expects the arrival of 4.6 million domestic and international tourists in Johor. On a separate matter, Tee also distributed goodies to taxi drivers as tokens of appreciation for their services. He was assisted by Norita and Republic of Indonesia consulate general Taufiqur Rijal.

"Taxis are essential in Johor Baru. I hope the drivers will present a positive image to the foreign tourists who use their service.

He added cleanliness was also important for tourists to feel comfortable and the taxi drivers needed to take the initiative to gain knowledge of places of interest in Johor to enhance their service by giving helpful suggestions to their foreign passengers.