Neurosurgery in Malaysia

Malaysia is evolving as one of Southeast Asia's giant neurosurgery destinations. 

Did you know that the Malaysia medical tourism market generated a revenue of USD 1.2B in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 5.1B by the end of 2028?

One of the primary reasons people opt to get treatment in Malaysia is lower treatment costs, dedicated medical personnel, and zero waiting times. Additionally, the hospitals in Malaysia are well-equipped with the latest, advanced technologies and offer medical care meeting international standards. 

Why Choose Malaysia for Neurosurgery?

There are numerous reasons why Malaysia is a leading destination for neurosurgery worldwide. The promotion of medical tourism by the government is one of the main reasons people are choosing Malaysia over other countries for their medical treatment. This provides quality assurance, following safety standards, and medical care regulations.
Recently, Malaysia was even voted as the third-best country across the globe for advanced patient care.

If you’re still in a dilemma about finalizing your medical destination, the following are the reasons why Malaysia should be your priority for sorting your healthcare concerns:

• Advanced Facilities: The hospitals in Malaysia offer world-class healthcare services in various medical disciplines and conduct some of the most complex treatments worldwide. All the medical centers have state-of-the-art infrastructure and are well-facilitated to provide medical services meeting international standards. The best part is that all the medical centers are licensed under the Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Regulations 2006.
  Moreover, many private healthcare institutions have both national and/or international accreditation bodies recognized by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua). Furthermore, if you’re planning to get yourself treated in Malaysia, then everything will be under the surveillance of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council of MHTC, part of the Ministry of Health in Malaysia. 

• Cost-effective Neurosurgery: The cost of neurosurgery in Malaysia is remarkably lower than in other countries in the world and only a fraction of prices in western countries such as the US and Europe. The term ‘low medical costs’ does not imply that the medical services would be cheaper too. The hospitals over there do not compromise the quality and standard of patient care.
  Also, the neurosurgery cost in Malaysia is approximately 40 percent lesser than in other countries such as the US, European countries, etc. In this way, patients can save significantly by getting a world-class treatment simultaneously. Further, there is a lesser waiting time in the hospitals due to which the patients can receive treatments easily, hence, reducing their financial burden. The cost of brain tumor treatment in Malaysia varies between USD 7,700 to USD 15,000. 

• Advanced Facilities & Equipments: The hospitals in Malaysia offer ultra-modern infrastructure and cutting-edge technology for neurosurgery. The hospitals are well-facilitated with the latest, advanced technologies and equipment for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. 

• Well-experienced Medical Personnel: Malaysian doctors, surgeons, and medical specialists are highly qualified and have attained their training certifications from renowned academic institutions in countries like Australia, the US, and the UK. Apparently, there are 60 neurosurgeons in Malaysia providing their expert care and are well-trained in the field of neurosciences. The patients can even view their records in advance online. The level of quality care is at par at Malaysian hospitals.

• Great Hospitality: Like other Asian countries, Malaysia offers amazing hospitality. The rooms in hospitals are well-furnished, and luxurious making your stay as homely as possible. Also, the medical staff speak fluent English, therefore, language is not a barrier throughout your medical journey. From arriving at the airport to your departure including during treatment and rehabilitation, the medical staff takes care of everything.
   

How to Find the Best Hospitals in Malaysia for Neurosurgery

Malaysia has some of the best hospitals with skilled staff and state-of-the-art infrastructure. However, finding the right hospital in a foreign land can be quite challenging. So, here are some of the tips that could be helpful for you in finding the best hospital for Neurosurgery. 

• Number of Treatments Performed: Find a hospital that offers a wide range of diagnostic and therapeutic services in the context of neurological disorders. It is important to ensure the availability of the optimal treatment that you’re looking for. 

• Referrals and Patient Testimonials: Referrals are the best way in starting your selection process. You can start with your physician, ask your family or friends, and other healthcare providers about the best neurology hospital. You can also gain real insight into a hospital by asking patients who were hospitalized in the past.
  Also, online reviews can be helpful in making the right decisions as well.

• Look for Neurosurgeon’s Credentials: The selection of the right hospital highly depends on the expertise of a team of neurosurgeons treating there. A precise diagnosis followed by a proper treatment plan reflects the expertise of a neurosurgeon. Hence, it is imperative to gain some insight into the expertise, education, certification, and history of the relevant treatment & surgeries, years of experience, colleges & universities they have graduated from, and research publications of the enlisted neurosurgeons. 

• Infrastructure: The infrastructure of the hospitals is directly proportional to their success rates. Keep your basic amenities and facilities checklist while evaluating the hospital. Check for well-equipped laboratories, operating rooms, and environmental control measures.
  Additionally, check the hospital’s accreditation and whether it has both national and/or international accreditation.

• Treatment Costs: It is important to look for medical expenses as neurosurgeries can be expensive. If you have insurance, go for a hospital that allows you to avail of cashless treatment. Moreover, check with the hospital staff in advance about their insurance policy.
  In case, you don’t have insurance, choose a hospital that offers transparency in treatment costs. 

Leading Neurosurgery Hospitals in Malaysia

• Gleneagles Hospital, Kuala Lumpur: This institute was established in 1996 and is one of the leading hospitals in Malaysia accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), the highest international quality accreditation in terms of patient safety and health care services. This 370-bedded multi-specialty hospital is known to deliver expertise in various medical disciplines.

• Pantai Hospital, Kuala Lumpur: This 335-bedded hospital has been serving people across the globe for 47 years. This hospital has a specialized International Patient Center (IPC) to assist international patients throughout their treatment journey. The hospital has JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation along with a certification from the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH).

• Pantai Hospital, Penang: Established in 1970, it is a 190-bedded multi-specialty hospital owned by the Pantai Group. The institute has three centers of excellence and they are the Cancer Centre, Heart Centre, and Stroke Centre.

• ParkCity Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur: This 300-bedded hospital was established in 1970. It is a JCI-accredited hospital and has been honored with several awards and recognitions such as the bronze Award for The Best In House Digital Team for Doctors Online Appointment App 2016, and Frost and Sullivan Excellence in EMR Implementation Award 2013 to name a few.

• Pantai Hospital Cheras: It is a 127-bedded multi-specialty hospital located near Kuala Lumpur. The hospital offers health screening packages and maternity packages. It is well-equipped with the latest technologies such as Bone densitometry, 128-slice Computerised Tomography (CT) Scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 1.5 Tesla, Mammography (Breast Imaging), Ultrasound Scan, and many more. 

Top Neurosurgeons in Malaysia

• Dr. Selvapragasam T.: He is a leading Neurosurgeon with over 48 years of vast experience. He holds expertise in craniospinal surgery, brain surgery for tumors, spinal surgery, intracranial hemorrhages, and traumatic brain & spine surgery.

• Dr. Kamalanathan Palaniandy: Dr. Palaniandy is a renowned Neurosurgeon with over two decades of experience. He specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, spine stabilization and reconstruction, clot removal, shunt placement or revision, and more.

• Dr. Sani Bin Sayuthi: Dr. Sayuthi is a well-trained Neurosurgeon with 20+ years of surgical experience. He is an expert in preventing, identifying, and treating nerve, spine, and brain problems.

• Dr. Chee Chee Pin: Dr. Pin is one of the reputed Neurosurgeons practicing for nearly 38 years. He specializes in endoscope-assisted brain, spine, and pituitary surgeries, radiosurgery, and stereotactic/functional surgeries.

• Dr. Muruga Kumar Rajoo: Dr. Rajoo is a skilled Neurosurgeon with 33+ years of experience. He specializes in performing brain aneurysm surgery, spine surgery, skull base surgery, Gamma Knife radiosurgery, and also treatment for tumors, cancer, cerebrovascular diseases, stroke, and various other neurosurgical disorders.

Documents Required for Malaysia Medical Visa
The application process for a medical visa to Malaysia is seamless and simple. To apply for a medical visa, you require:

• A passport-sized photo

• A valid passport for at least six months from your arrival date

• A hospital letter

Kindly note that this medical visa allows a single entry for a maximum stay of 30 days and is not for employment or residence. 

Understanding the Role of Vaidam Health in Your Treatment Journey Overseas

Vaidam Health is a medium that assists you in providing information about the appropriate treatment at the right hospital. Our in-house medical experts can make your medical travel to Malaysia smooth and help you connect to very experienced doctors. They are available 24*7 throughout your treatment journey with a humane feel offering complete information regarding medical facilities, healthcare providers, doctors’/surgeons’ expertise, medical/travel insurance, travel agencies, and many more.

The Closure
Malaysia is an ideal destination for medical tourists as it offers top-rated medical facilities. To know about medical treatment in Malaysia, check out our guide to medical tourism in Malaysia.