By Nadiah Zamlus
SHAH ALAM, June 24 — The reopening of the country borders for medical purposes is a major boon for Selangor as the state has more than 20 hospitals listed under the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MTHC).
Tourism Selangor general manager Azrul Shah Mohamad said the announcement enabled them to focus on the medical tourism sector to boost the state’s economy during the recovery movement control order (RMCO) period.
“Among the hospitals registered with MHTC are KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital, Metro Women’s Hospital, Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital, Columbia Asia Hospital — Puchong, Prof Muhaya Eye & Lasik Centre and Avisena Specialist Hospital.
“Therefore we are confident that the state government’s new target via Tourism Selangor to get 6 million tourists arrival this year can be achieved,” said Azrul to SelangorKini, yesterday.
In February, Azrul said 142,000 Indonesian tourists were recorded entering Selangor for medical purposes between January and September last year.
Meanwhile, the number of patients seeking treatment in Selangor rose to 240,000 in 2018, compared to 135,000 in 2015.
On June 16, Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that entry of foreigners into the country for medical purposes are allowed but they must register with MHTC.
