HEALTH IN MALAYSIA
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.28 years, country comparison to the world: 112 male: 71.51 years, female: 77.24 years (2013 est.). "Life expectancy" is an abstract and complicated concept and complex formula that attempts to predict the lifespan of children born today by subjecting a hypothetical child born today to the current risk of dying in each bracket he or she matures through until, in effect, the accumulated risk of death is 100 percent.
In 1999, a Malaysian man named Omar Abas claimed he was the oldest person in the world, at age 141. He said he was born on September 16, 1857. He didn’t have a birth certificate but the registration office where he lived verified the date. If the birthday were correct he would be more than a two decades older than the official world’s oldest person. Omar said he owed his long life to simple living, moderate exercise and a simple diet with lots of fruit and vegetables.
Maternal mortality rate: 29 deaths/100,000 live births (2010), country comparison to the world: 125. Infant mortality rate: total: 14.12 deaths/1,000 live births, country comparison to the world: 118; male: 16.32 deaths/1,000 live births; female: 11.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 12.9 percent (2006), country comparison to the world: 58. [Source: CIA World Factbook]
Health indicators and infrastructure have improved substantially since independence. These improvements are often attributed to improvements in public nutrition, sanitation, and access to health services.
Children’s Health in Malaysia
Proportion of under-five children with suspected pneumonia taken to health provider: 92 percent.
Proportion of children under five years old with diarrhea receiving oral rehydration salts: 18 percent.
Percentage of infants who received three doses of DTP vaccine: 93 percent.
Percentage of children who received the second dose of measles containing vaccine: 93 percent
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]
Child Survival
Under-five mortality rate (U5MR): 8 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Number of under-five deaths: 3.638.
Infant mortality rate (IMR): 7 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Neonatal mortality rate (NMR): 4 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Male under-five mortality rate (U5MR): 9 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Female under-five mortality rate (U5MR): 8 deaths per 1,000 live birth.
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]
Maternal and Newborn Health
Caesarean section: 26 percent.
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]
Nutrition
Early initiation of breastfeeding (within one hour of birth): 64 percent.
Exclusive breastfeeding: 40 percent. (<6 months)
Prevalence of moderate and severe stunting: 24 percent.
Proportion of households consuming iodized salt: 28 percent.
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]
Sanitation
Proportion of population using basic sanitation services: 86 percent.
Proportion of population using limited sanitation services: 10 percent.
Proportion of population using unimproved sanitation services or better: 96 percent.
Proportion of population practising open defecation: 4 percent.
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]
Drinking water
Proportion of population using piped water: 95 percent.
Proportion of population using non-piped improved water sources: 3 percent.
Proportion of population using unimproved drinking water services. 2 percent.
Proportion of population using surface water: 0 percent.
[Source: UNICEF DATA data.unicef.org]
Health Care in Malaysia
Health expenditures: 4.4 percent of GDP (2010), country comparison to the world: 156. Physicians density: 0.94 physicians/1,000 population (2008). Hospital bed density: 1.8 beds/1,000 population (2010). [Source: CIA World Factbook]
Health care system ranking of 191 countries: 49, compared to 1 for France, 37 for the United States and 191 for Sierra Leone. [Source: World Health Organization, 2000]
Malaysia invested heavily in public health and saw GNPs soar, family size shrink and lifespan lengthen. Health services at public hospitals are highly subsidized and free to persons who cannot afford the costs, but private expenditures account for more than half of total health spending. The Ministry of Health operates public health services, and from 2000 to 2004 the ministry’s budget increased from approximately 6.3 percent to 8 percent of the national budget. In 2004 there were 1,969 public dental clinics, 1,924 rural clinics, 165 mobile clinics, 93 maternity and child health clinics, 125 government hospitals, and 218 private hospitals and “maternity/nursing homes.” There were also 18,246 doctors, or one doctor for every 1,402 persons. [Source:Library of Congress, 2006]
Health services are more available in urban than in rural areas, but Malaysia has been developing “telehealth” and “telemedicine” for rural populations. In an effort to overcome a dearth of medical personnel, the government has built an “information technology-based” hospital in which patient data are stored in a central database rather than in paper files so that doctors can spend more time with patients than on paperwork.
There is a resistance to donating organs based on cultural and religious taboos. It is almost more of an Asian thing than a Muslim thing. People are reluctant to have organs removed before burial although this not the case in other Muslim countries.
Conjoined Twins Separated in Malaysia
In July 2012, the conjoined twins, Muaiman and Muaimin Azli, were separated at Hospital Kuala Lumpur in an operation involving a 60-strong medical team, including 19 surgeons and anaesthetists. "With proper rehabilitation, both boys can lead a fairly normal and independent life," Zakaria Zahari, the head of the paediatric surgery at the Malaysian government hospital was quoted as saying. Mr Zakaria said the case was the hospital's most complex so far because the twins shared genitalia and a bladder. "The sexual and reproductive functions of both twins will be assessed further as they grow," he said. [Source: Agencies, July 28, 2012]
Both boys are in a stable condition following the July 14 operation. Muaimin will get a prosthetic leg, while Muaiman will keep both of his legs. "For now, I'm just glad that they are safe," the twins' father, 40-year-old mechanic Azli Sabran, told The Star newspaper.A hospital official confirmed the surgery was successful but could not immediately provide further details. The twins are the 14th conjoined pair to be separated at the hospital and the 21st in the country Mr Zakaria said one in every 250,000 to 500,000 live births in Malaysia, which has a population of 28 million people, involved conjoined twins but not all survived, especially if they were joined at the heart. Kuala Lumpur Hospital also became the first government hospital to perform a kidney transplant between a married couple with different blood groups in an eight-hour surgery on Tuesday, the New Straits Times reported.
Kidney Transplants in Malaysia China
There is a 16 year waiting list for kidneys in Malaysia. Even though there was a plentiful supply in 1999, for example, considering the high number of traffic fatalities that year, kidneys were transplanted from only eight donors in 1999.
Many people go overseas, particularly China, for kidney transplants. As of the early 2000s, over 1,000 Malaysians had received kidney transplants in China.
One Malaysian man from Malacca watched from his hospital bed in Chongqing China as 18 men doomed to execution were shown on television, knowing that one of them would provide him with a kidney. He never learned the name of the man who gave him a kidney he only was told he was 19 and was arrested for drug trafficking. The Malaysia man paid $10,000 for the procedure plus his travel and hospital costs. Those who have received kidneys say they are too desperate to worry about ethical implications of what they have done. See China
Medical Tourism in Malaysia
Rough number of medical tourists based on data from 2010 and 2011: 1) Thailand, 1.2 million; 2) Singapore, 600,000; 3) the United States, 400,000; 4) India, 390,000; 5) Malaysia , 380,000; 6) Hungary, 360,000; 7) Japan, 80,000. [Source: Japan Tourism Agency]
According to Healthy Travel Media the average cost in Malaysia of: 1) heart-valve replacement with bypass surgery is $13,400 compared to $75,000 in the U.S., $9,500 in India, and $25,000 in Thailand; 2) hip replacement surgery is $7,500 compared to $33,000 in the U.S., $11,500 in India and $12,700 in Thailand; and 3) knee replacement surgery is $12,000 compared to $30,000 in the U.S., $10,200 in India and $11,500 in Thailand; The costs include hospital and doctor fees but not travel and lodging. [Source: New York Times, March 21, 2009; U.S. News and World Report, May 12, 2008]
In Malaysia: 1) coronary artery bypass surgery costs $12,000 compared to $75,000 to $133,000 in the United States; 2) prostrate surgery (TURP procedure) costs $4,600 compared to $10,000 to $16,000 in the United States; 3) gastric bypass surgery costs $12,700 compared to $35,000 to $52,000 in the United States; and 4) a face lift costs $6,400 compared to $10,500 to $16,000 in the United States. [Source: Patients Beyond Borders, U.S. News and World Report, May 12, 2008]
Ten Reasons to Choose Malaysia as a Healthcare Destination
According to the MHTC (Malaysia Health Care Travel Council): Whether you're looking for a small cosmetic procedure and a big holiday or major surgery along with a short getaway, there are countless reasons that make Malaysia the ideal destination for your healthcare needs. Here are 10 reasons why. 1) Affordable procedures: Malaysia's favourable exchange rate and the cost of healthcare services is at an extensively lower cost than that of other countries. If you're coming from a Western country such as the United States or Britain, medical procedures in Malaysia will generally cost a fraction of the price as compared to prices back home. 2) Modern facilities: Extensive investments have been made to ensure that all medical centres are equipped with modern facilities, internationally accredited hospitals of Malaysia are capable of handling the latest techniques and procedures. These state-of-the-art facilities focus on what matters: more effective, efficient and pleasant solutions for patients.
3) Professionals with internationally recognised credentials: Doctors in Malaysia are highly experienced. Having been involved in numerous groundbreaking procedures and revolutionary researches which have garnered several international recognitions, Malaysia boasts a high number of specialists with decades of experiences in their relevant fields. 4) Short waiting time: With all medical centres equipped with modern facilities, medical centres in Malaysia are able to provide shorter waiting time. Patients may be hospitalised upon arrival, and examinations and work-up tests are usually addressed promptly. Organised and efficient patient registration systems eliminate or reduce patient queues to ensure treatment and medication is quickly dispensed so patients can choose to either return home or recuperate amidst some of Malaysia's lush rainforests and pristine beaches.
5) Social & political stability: Since its independence, Malaysia has boasts one of South-East-Asia's most vibrant economies, the fruit of decades of industrial growth and political stability. Its multi-ethnic society encompasses Malays, Chinese and Indians who co-exist in harmony. Malaysians are peace-loving and friendly people. Visitors can be ensured of respect and greeted with sincere smiles throughout his or her stay. 6) Ease of entry: The Malaysian government has made it easier for visitors seeking health treatments to enter the country. With the relevant letter from the medical centre at which you will be receiving your medical treatment, you may enjoy up to six months of visa extension.
7) Low cost of living: Prices in Malaysia are reasonable and affordable, be it accommodation, food or even shopping. 8) Accommodation: From comfortable and affordable hotels to five-star accommodations, Malaysia provides you with a choice to budget or splurge. Hotels start from as low as USD43 to USD143.20 per night depending on its star rating. Alternatively, if your family is accompanying you for treatment, there is also an option to rent a serviced apartment. Prices range around USD115 to USD172 depending on the size of the apartment. Service apartments in Malaysia operate similar services to a hotel. 9) Excellent infrastructure: Public and private transportation is readily available throughout Malaysia. Monorails, taxis, trains and buses are available at regular intervals, while cars can be easily rented for those who desire extra control over their travelling. Besides coaches and trains, low cost flights are also available to hundreds of locations outside of Kuala Lumpur. In essence, all cities in Malaysia are very well connected. 10) Lots to see and do: The multi-cultural society that makes up Malaysia has contributed to the culinary legacy of Malaysian food. Tourists can look forward to affordable Malay, Chinese, Indian and Portuguese dishes that offer an exotic experience unique to the country.
Malaysia's Health Rules and Regulations: Malaysia's Ministry of Health works together with various medical bodies to help ensure the quality and safety standards of healthcare are adhered to throughout the country. All private medical institutions in Malaysia are required to be licensed under the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 and are compliant to a regulatory body working closely with the Ministry of Health who monitors, regulates and coordinates these hospitals.
Traditional Healers in Malaysia
Spiritual healers are known as “bomoh” or “dukun”. They preside over curing ceremonies in which they go into trances. Patients are sometimes treated with a body smoking ritual in which the bomoh calls on friendly spirits to remove the source of the illness. Bomoh also employ a wide range of potions and herbal medicines. Bine-setting if often done by local healers. In many placed midwives still assist in the delivery of babies.
Some traditional medical practices in Malaysia are pretty bizarre and creepy. In October 2004, Associated Press reported: “A practitioner of traditional medicine in Malaysia was arrested for allegedly using kidnapped children as human guinea pigs while trying to find new cures, a newspaper reported on Sunday. The man was detained with four children. The man was detained with four others after a 14-year-old boy escaped from a house on October 4, and told police he had been held captive for three months and was the subject of bizarre experiments. The boy claimed that in one of the experiments, leeches were placed all over his body. [Source: AP, October 2004]
Image Sources:
Text Sources: New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Times of London, Lonely Planet Guides, Library of Congress, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Compton’s Encyclopedia, The Guardian, National Geographic, Smithsonian magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Newsweek, Reuters, AP, AFP, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic Monthly, The Economist, Foreign Policy, Wikipedia, BBC, CNN, and various books, websites and other publications.
Last updated June 2015