THE Penang Centre of Medical Tourism (P.Med) today signed a protocol of medical tourism collaboration with PT Citilink Indonesia to further enhance the medical tourism sector in Penang.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, as the guest of honour during the ceremony, thanked Citilink for their existing partnership with Penang as they have been actively offering connectivity that enables patients to visit the hospitals in the state, especially Indonesians from Medan and Jakarta.
“Today marks another important step in our efforts to further strengthen the ties between Penang and Indonesia, and we hope that through this protocol of collaboration signing, we will ensure patients are given the best possible treatment while here.
“We will ensure that our hospitals, hotels, travel agents, tour guides and all those in the travel industry will work together to bring a seamless and hassle-free experience for medical tourists in Penang.
“According to the Malaysian Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), from 2015 to 2019, the industry has grown at a cumulative average growth rate (CAGR) of 17 per cent.
“In 2019, Penang received nearly 480,000 medical tourists, generating RM730 million in revenue.
“This amounted to nearly 50 per cent of the total revenue for Malaysia from medical tourism.
“This is very good for our economy. It is also something we are very proud of because it shows that Penang has survived as a tourism and medical destination for tourists.
“On another note, we hope that Citilink can explore extending their coverage to include other major cities in Indonesia, such as Bandung, Jogjakarta and Surabaya.
“This will be crucial to ensure more patients will be given the opportunity and access to experience our excellent medical healthcare,” Chow said in his speech during the signing of a protocol of medical tourism collaboration with PT Citlink Indonesia at G Hotel Gurney in George Town today.
Signing on behalf of P.Med was state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, while for Citilink was its chief commercial and cargo officer, Ichwan F. Argus.
The signing was witnessed by Chow and the Indonesian consul-general in Penang Bambang Suharto.
Among others present during the ceremony were Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan and P.Med executive director Dr Mary Ann Harris.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad
Video by Noor Siri Nabilah Noorazis