Selangor is setting its sights on becoming Southeast Asia’s leading medical tourism hub, backed by world-class hospitals, strong government support, and a growing array of healthcare services.
State executive councillor for local government and tourism Dato’ Ng Suee Lim said Selangor’s goal is clear, with its healthcare ecosystem already positioned as one of the strongest in Malaysia.
“We are home to many of Malaysia’s internationally accredited private hospitals and specialist centres that offer world-class healthcare at competitive costs. Beyond that, medical travellers also enjoy holistic tourism experiences, from wellness retreats to cultural attractions,” he said in an interview with Media Selangor.
Ng added that the state has invested heavily in tourism infrastructure to ensure a seamless experience for patients, from arrival to recovery.
Currently, Selangor has 60 private hospitals equipped with advanced facilities and internationally certified professionals covering cardiology, orthopaedics, oncology, fertility, and general medicine. Its strong connectivity through Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has also boosted accessibility for international patients seeking affordable and quality healthcare.
The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) highlighted that leading hospitals such as Sunway Medical Centre, Subang Jaya Medical Centre, KPJ Healthcare, and Alpha IVF and Women’s Specialists continue to strengthen Selangor’s position in the regional market.
According to MHTC, active regional promotion has been key to the state’s rise. At the MHExpo Selangor Week 2024 in Surabaya, 10 hospitals showcased the MedTravel Selangor campaign, attracting nearly 1,000 visitors and significant Indonesian media attention. The momentum continued at the Malaysia Healthcare Expo 2025 in Makassar, which drew close to 2,800 visitors, with seven participating hospitals from Selangor.
Selangor is now positioning itself to lead Malaysia’s transition from a cost-driven medical destination to one defined by quality and innovation, especially in MedTech, robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital health.
Ng and MHTC believe that medical tourism will play an increasingly vital role in Selangor’s economy, generating ripple effects across hotels, food and beverage, retail, and wellness sectors.
Earlier this year, MHTC reported that the Klang Valley had overtaken Penang as Malaysia’s top medical tourism hub, attracting about 560,700 international patients between January and November last year, compared to 490,000 in 2019. The industry generated an estimated RM886 million in revenue, with the central region contributing 44.5% of healthcare travellers and 41.6% of total revenue nationwide.
Fertility services have emerged as the leading attraction for health tourists in Selangor, overtaking health screening. “Fertility treatments are now the leading draw for health tourists in Selangor, signalling a strategic opportunity to expand and promote reproductive health packages internationally,” said MHTC.
Cancer care, gastroenterology, and infectious disease treatments also rank among the top medical services sought by international patients, while health screening continues to see steady demand for early diagnosis and preventive care.
Indonesia remains Selangor’s largest medical tourism market, supported by cultural similarities, close proximity, and convenient air links. MHTC data showed that 284,814 Indonesian healthcare tourists visited Selangor last year, generating RM474.7 million in revenue. Other major markets include Bangladesh, India, China, and the Philippines.
To further attract Indonesian visitors, Selangor launched the “Liburan Sehat Ya Di Selangor Aja!” campaign, which leverages digital platforms, influencer partnerships, and collaborations with healthcare providers and travel agents.
“We believe there is still tremendous growth potential, especially with targeted promotions and collaborations in Indonesia,” Ng said, adding that the state aims for a 3–5% increase in Indonesian healthcare tourist arrivals between 2025 and 2026 through continued outreach via the MedTravel Selangor platform.
Media Selangor
