If you have not visited Malaysia, particularly Penang, in the past few years, you may be surprised to see how advanced this multiracial state has become in every sector, including in its health care services. International-class hospitals have sprung up such as the Adventist Hospital, Mount Miriam Hospital, Logh Guan Lye Specialist Center and Island Hospital.
“When one of my family members or I get sick, we go get medical treatment on Penang Island rather than fly to Jakarta. The doctors in Penang are reputable and the medical service is first-class,” said Rayendra, a businessman from Medan. You can reach Penang from Medan in just 40 minutes by plane. Indonesian citizens holding Indonesian passports issued in Medan are not required to pay exit tax when traveling to Malaysia.
So, it is more economical to get medical treatment in Penang than in Jakarta. The one-way fare between Medan and Penang is not more than Rp 500,000. Consulting a physician costs only RM 25 (Rp 62,000). A standard hospital room costs RM 290 (Rp 712,000) a night, a super deluxe room RM 460. A heart test using modern equipment costs RM 460, a complete medical checkup that includes a urine test, a chest X-ray and an ECG costs RM 600.
Located in Georgetown in the heart of Penang city, Island Hospital has spacious and comfortable rooms. Opened in 1996, this hospital, which can accommodate 140 inpatients and see 400 outpatients daily, has all the facilities that a patient may need. It has 26 divisions including the heart treatment, neurology, rehabilitation and physiotherapy, radiology, urology, speech therapy centers, i-Laser Center for eye laser surgery and the fertility center.
“It is like a shopping center. You can have everything there,” said Island Hospital’s chief executive officer Dr. Chan Kok Ewe, chuckling.
Although you can get practically all kinds of medical treatment there, the services are always carefully given. Aside from some 40 medical specialists, the hospital is also equipped with the latest medical equipment. It has a CT Scanner that is capable of detecting every layer of the body from head to toe so that not a single disease goes undetected.
There are three operating theaters, each with its own level of air pressure. The main room leading to the ICU is bacteria-free. The medical equipment is modern as it is based on the laser method. The use of laser not only greatly facilitates surgery but also ensures that the result of the surgery is very neat.
Island Hospital public relations officer Nora Hamid said that the concept of a hotel was applied in this hospital. As most of the hospital’s international patients come from Indonesia, Island Hospital, which is eyeing the upper segment of the market, has officers who speak Malay.
“We want patients to feel at home so that they will have a speedy recovery,” she noted.
Nora, formerly a public relations officer at a star-rated hotel, said that Island Hospital had introduced new divisions such as a plastic surgery center, a clinic for dental maintenance and reconstruction.
“So you can have a holiday in Penang and at the same time have special treatment for your face and body. When you leave Penang, you are more beautiful,” said Nora.
