Kuala lumpur: Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 has officially been launched today to strengthen the country's position as a top destination for affordable and high-quality healthcare services.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad stated that with the tagline 'Healing Meets Hospitality', MYMT 2026 aims to attract more international healthcare travellers by emphasizing the country's high-quality, affordable medical services, along with its warm hospitality and wellness offerings.
Malaysia has long been recognised as a preferred destination for medical tourism. In 2024, the country recorded 1.6 million healthcare travellers, generating RM2.72 billion in revenue, marking a 21 per cent increase from the previous year. These figures reflect the growing confidence in Malaysia's healthcare system, as noted by Dr Dzulkefly during his speech at the campaign's launch.
Dr Dzulkefly, who also chairs the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), mentioned that the country's international standing in the sector was further reinforced in May this year. Malaysia was ranked among the world's top 10 medical tourism destinations by Nomad Capitalist, alongside regional peers such as Singapore and Thailand.
He further explained that the campaign supports the broader goals of Visit Malaysia 2026 by positioning healthcare as a key economic and reputational driver. The initiative has the potential to generate between RM12 and RM15 billion by 2030 through spillover benefits to airlines, hotels, transport services, and local communities.
Among the highlights of MYMT 2026 is the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) programme, which recognises excellence in clinical care, innovation, and international patient services. Four outstanding hospitals, including Institut Jantung Negara, Island Hospital Penang, Mahkota Medical Centre, and Subang Jaya Medical Centre, are currently in the final stages of assessment, with the winner set to be announced in December.
The campaign also introduced celebrated singer Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza as its official ambassador, highlighting her as a symbol of trust, authenticity, and compassion-values that reflect the core essence of Malaysia Healthcare.
Dzulkefly also highlighted Malaysia's readiness to take a leading role in regional cooperation in healthcare as Chair of the ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting in 2026, particularly in areas such as cross-border care, healthcare mobility, and health equity. He expressed confidence that, with continued commitment and collaboration, Malaysia will exceed expectations and set new benchmarks in global medical tourism.