Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council

The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council was established by the Malaysian Ministry of Health in 2005. MHTC is responsible in advocating for the medical tourism industry in Malaysia. In 2011, MHTC was incorporated as an independent entity to coordinate Malaysia's healthcare travel sector.

History

In 2003, a small unit under the Corporate Division of the Ministry of Health was established, which includes experts knowledgeable in healthcare to advise and guide the Ministry of Investment, [Trade and Industry (Malaysia)|Ministry of International Trade and Industry] and Malaysia [External Trade Development Corporation|MATRADE] representatives in showcasing Malaysia's healthcare travel industry. This unit grew into the “Health Services” unit under the Corporate Services Division, forming a microcosm of what is known as MHTC today.
MHTC was incorporated under the National Key Economic Area in 2011, with an aim to enable the agency to fulfil its role as the promoting and facilitating arm of the Ministry of Health.
In 2018, due to the change in the government, MHTC was shifted under the purview of the Ministry of Finance.
The Global Market Report 2018 placed Malaysia as the world's top healthcare travel destination by volume. In 2019, Malaysia welcomed over 1.2 million medical tourists. Over the past decade, some of the top countries of arrival are Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, United Kingdom and United States of America.
The top treatments sought by healthcare travellers over the past decade are Cardiology, Fertility, Oncology, Orthopaedics, Neurology, Premium Health Screening and Dental. A 2020 study ranked the country in the top 10 wellness destinations.
In 2024, the council experienced an outflow of staff due to what news reports called a lack of "clear direction" and a "toxic working environment."