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Friday, January 29, 2010

January 30, 2010-Medical Tourism

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Judy's Medical Team

Cruising sailors visiting countries like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, which have become popular destinations for medical tourism, may take advantage of the excellent facilities and low cost of basic medical care, elective surgical procedures and emergency care which are available there.

When Judy needed back surgery we visited Putra Medical Center in Kedah Province, Malaysia and we were impressed by the clean and modern facility with its state-of-the-art MRI and CAT-Scan diagnostic equipment, the obvious competence and efficiency of the staff, and, more than anything, the confidence exuded by of the surgeon who examined Judy and who would later perform the operation.

Judy chose to have her surgery there was admitted two days later. Her operation was very successful and it was about one eighth the cost of a comparable procedure in the USA. What was more important to us was the attention and personal care she received; we were very impressed with Putra medical Center.

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Putra Medical Center

During Judy’s hospital stay at Putra we talked with Dato Dr. Lim Kim Huat, the founder and owner of Putra Medical Center, and his wife, Dato Lee Gaik Cheng, who is CEO.
Both Dr. Lim and his wife grew up in Alor Star and they are committed to providing the best, most cost effective, care they can for the people of this area. Dr. Lim, while a medical student, once had to take his mother on a long and rough motorbike trip to Penang to obtain the medical care she needed because no facilities were then available in Alor Star. That was when he made a promise to himself to someday build a hospital in his home town; a promise which, with the support and encouragement of his wife, he has kept.

Dato Dr. Lim Kim Huat, and Dato Lee Gaik Cheng told us that the 14-year-old, 230 bed, Putra Medical Center had 13 resident specialists, a total staff of 375, eight operating theaters, and is part of the comprehensive network of hospitals and clinics, which provides care to Malaysians and foreigners as well.

Malaysian medical tourism annually attracts over 300,000 foreign patients and brings in approximately USD80 million in revenue to Malaysia.

It’s not fun to be sick, but with places like Putra Medical Center at least you feel like you are getting good care.

Click here for more photos of Putra Medical Center

Click here for photos of Alor Star, the capital of Kedah, Malaysia

Fred & Judy, SV Wings, Malaysia

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