Malaysia: World-class medical care in a world-renowned tourist destination
Ms Elaine P.Y. Cheong is the Chief Executive Officer of the Sime Darby Healthcare Group, which is wholly-owned by Sime Darby, Malaysia’s public-listed largest and oldest conglomerate by way of market capitalisation. Ms Cheong qualified as an accountant and is a member of the Australia Society of Certified Public Accountants (CPA Australia) and the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) respectively.
Dato’ Dr Jacob Thomas, Group Medical Advisor, Sime Darby Healthcare and President of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM). He has served the Board since 1997, and was its Honorary Secretary from 1999 to 2004. Dato’ Dr Jacob Thomas has vast experience in hospital management, after serving in various capacities at Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) since 1985 and finally the Executive Director/CEO of SJMC from 1998 till 2006.
1) I must declare – and I think many Americans would agree – that until recently I knew very little about Malaysia and certainly not about your world-class medical facilities. Would you give our readers a little background on Malaysia as a tourist destination; the medical facilities in Malaysia and of course your hospital, Sime Darby? (Looking for things like number of accredited hospitals, specialties, training and certification of physicians, advanced technology, etc)
Dato’ Dr. Jacob Thomas: Malaysia is a multi-cultural and multi-racial nation with a population made up of Malays, Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups. These races co-exist harmoniously since our country’s independence 52 years ago. Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a modern and safe metropolis with towering sky-scrapers such as the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower, large shopping malls, extensive network of highways and a world-class international airport. At the same time, a part of its Chinatown still retains an old world charm reminiscent of the 1960s. KL’s also a foodies’ haven, ranging from gourmet to hawker fare. English is widely spoken here besides the local languages.
The medical facilities in Malaysia are generally on par with the best tertiary facilities in the region. The Ministry of Health Malaysia has currently identified 35 medical facilities around the country to promote medical travel.
Elaine Cheong: Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya (SDMC), a trusted and award-winning medical centre for over 24 years, is one of those selected. SDMC is in the midst of being accredited to the U.S. Joint Commission International, or JCI standards.
SDMC’s doctors are progressive and reputed in the region in their respective specialties, achieving numerous clinical and surgical milestones. Most of our doctors have post-graduate qualifications from leading medical institutions in U.S., U.K., and Australia. The advanced technology and professionalism of our medical staff have ensured excellence in quality patient care.
2) What countries are currently most important as points of origin for medical travelers to Malaysia?
Dato’ Dr. Jacob Thomas: The biggest group of medical visitors to Malaysia comes from countries in the region for example, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei. We are currently treating patients in increasing numbers from U.K., U.S., and Australia.
3) Where do you think the growth opportunities are for bringing international patients to Sime Darby?
Elaine Cheong: Our advantages in high healthcare quality with lower costs make us an attractive destination, giving us the opportunity to bring international patients to SDMC. The U.S. healthcare market is definitely one of the areas for our growth potential.
4) What is Sime Darby Healthcare currently doing to reach and develop the
Elaine Cheong: We are taking part in healthcare summits and exhibitions in the U.S., promoting our facilities and services to various groups of consumers. We are establishing potential business partnerships in the U.S. including insurers, employers, managed care organizations and medical travel facilitators. We also consider the web as an important tool to promote and facilitate medical travel.
5) With US employers starting to embrace international medical care, tell us why US employers should consider sending their employees to Sime Darby in
Elaine Cheong: Employees treated at SDMC can benefit from high quality patient care, excellent facilities and expertise with significant cost savings to the U.S. employers. They can also be rest assured that our clinical outcomes are on par with that of our counterparts in the U.S.
6) International medical travel is a relatively new phenomenon for US patients, but surveys indicate high numbers of Americans are willing to travel internationally for affordable high quality medical procedures and care. Our
Elaine Cheong: We have an International Patient Services team to take care of our foreign patients’ enquiries and needs which can include arrangements for travel and accommodation at best prices for varying lengths of stay. We provide medical concierge, ground transfers and other patient support services. Our inpatient menu and food outlets cater to a wide variety of individual food preferences.
7) In addition to high quality healthcare, what would you tell tourists about why they should visit Malaysia?
Dato’ Dr. Jacob Thomas: Malaysia welcomes you with bright sunshine and warm weather throughout the year. Visitors to Malaysia can experience its diverse culture and rich heritage. Together with this diversity, comes a wide variety of gastronomic delights. The country is also home to tropical rainforests which are more than 130 million years old, with interesting species of rare flora and fauna including Rafflesia, the largest individual flower in the world. Our extensive and long shoreline is dotted with numerous seaside resorts and islands which are excellent destinations for scuba-diving and snorkeling. Tourists to our country have always enjoyed the experience of living in a typical Malaysian village (kampung) bordering our modern cities. We are a shopper’s paradise with many shopping malls and arcades offering both local and world-renowned designer labels.
Bio:
Elaine Cheong, CEO, Sime Darby Healthcare Group:
Ms Elaine P.Y. Cheong is the Chief Executive Officer of the Sime Darby Healthcare Group, which is wholly-owned by Sime Darby, Malaysia’s public-listed largest and oldest conglomerate by way of market capitalisation.
Ms Cheong is responsible for the following business units:-
- Sime Darby Medical Centre Subang Jaya (SDMC SJ) – a leading tertiary care hospital located in the suburb of
- Sime Darby Specialist Centre Megah (SDSC Megah) - an Ambulatory Day Care Centre located in the suburb of
Ms Cheong qualified as an accountant and is a member of the Australia Society of Certified Public Accountants (CPA Australia) and the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) respectively.
She began her career with KPMG Peat Marwick, before joining SDMC SJ as Accounting Manager and its first employee in 1984. She moved up the ladder as the Hospital Controller in August 1986, Director of Finance in September 1992 and Director, Corporate Services in April 1997 followed by her promotion as Chief Executive Officer, Sime Darby Healthcare Group in August 2006.
Ms Cheong has been with Sime Darby Healthcare for the past 24 years. During this time, she has spear-headed several cost-containment projects in the hospital and implemented many initiatives leading to enhancement of shareholders’ value.
DATO' DR. JACOB THOMAS, MD:
Dato’ Dr Jacob Thomas, a medical doctor, is a Board Member of the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia. He has served the Board since 1997, and was its Honorary Secretary from 1999 to 2004.
Dato’ Dr Jacob Thomas has vast experience in hospital management, after serving in various capacities at Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) since 1985 and finally the Executive Director/CEO of SJMC from 1998 till 2006. He is currently the Group Medical Advisor of SJMC and the Sime Darby Group. Subang Jaya Medical Centre is reputed for its quality and service excellence, having achieved numerous national and international certifications and awards which include the Prime Minister Quality Award in 1998 and 2003, and the inaugural International Asia Pacific Quality Award in 2000.
Dato’ Dr Jacob Thomas is also a member of the Consultative Panel of Healthcare sector of the National Productivity Corporation (NPC) which promotes inter-hospital benchmarking among the major private hospitals in Malaysia. He also serves as a Councilor and Board member of the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH).
Due to medical tourism advanced medical treatments are economic and available easily.
Reply to this