KUALA LUMPUR — For many families in Medan and across North Sumatra, travelling across the Straits of Malacca for medical care has become an increasingly familiar healthcare journey. Patients seeking specialised procedures or second medical opinions often look beyond national borders for greater diagnostic certainty, advanced medical technology and specialised expertise that may not always be readily available locally.
Over time, Malaysia has emerged as one of the most trusted destinations for Indonesian patients seeking timely and reliable care. This cross-border healthcare movement has gradually formed a strong Medan–Penang healthcare corridor, connecting patients from North Sumatra to Malaysia’s major hospital hubs. The region serves a population catchment of more than 15 million people, with Medan acting as the primary gateway for patients travelling from surrounding areas such as Aceh, Padang, Pekanbaru and Batam when seeking treatment abroad.
The proximity between the two destinations further strengthens this relationship. Located just 160 kilometres across the Straits of Malacca, Medan is closer to Penang than many domestic Indonesian travel routes.
Today, there are approximately 56 weekly flights between Medan and Malaysia, with a flight time of approximately 45 minutes to Penang, making Malaysian hospitals one of the most accessible international healthcare options for residents in western Indonesia.
The strong demand from Indonesian patients has also played a major role in shaping Malaysia’s healthcare travel ecosystem. Indonesian healthcare travellers contribute significantly to Malaysia’s medical tourism sector, accounting for 65.8 per cent of the country’s total medical tourism revenue, while nearly 90 per cent of medical tourism revenue in northern Malaysia is generated by Indonesian patients.
Hospitals in Penang and Kuala Lumpur have therefore developed specialised services tailored for Indonesian patients, supported by multilingual coordinators and culturally familiar care pathways.
Recognising the importance of this long-standing healthcare connection, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) continues to strengthen engagement with the Medan market through the national Malaysia Healthcare brand.
Guided by the Healing Meets Hospitality positioning and supported by the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026, Malaysia Healthcare aims to deepen regional healthcare collaboration while improving patient access to trusted treatment options across Southeast Asia.
The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council will lead a delegation of Malaysian hospitals to Medan through MHX Medan 2026. This delegation includes the winner of Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) 2025, Island Hospital, along with accolades winners Institut Jantung Negara, Mahkota Medical Centre, and Subang Jaya Medical Centre.
It also features Ever-Link Fertility Centre, Gleneagles Hospital Penang, Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Hospital Picaso, MSU Medical Centre, Penang Adventist Hospital, Sunway Medical Centre Penang, Thomson Hospital Kota Damansara, and hospitals from KPJ Healthcare.
Attendees at MHX will have the chance to meet healthcare specialists directly, explore various treatment options, and receive trusted second opinions. The event aims to attract families seeking clarity on complex diagnoses, patients considering overseas treatment, and healthcare facilitators and industry partners looking to strengthen Malaysia-Indonesia healthcare collaboration. —Bernama
