Event highlights opportunities for strong U.S.- Malaysia collaboration in digital healthcare and MedTech to combat noncommunicable diseases and position Malaysia as a leading medical travel destination
KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s Minister of Health, Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba and U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia Brian McFeeters jointly launched the Malaysian program for the Southeast Asia MedTech Virtual Trade Forum on May 27, 2021. Organized by the U.S. Commercial Service and its strategic partner, the USA Healthcare Alliance, the MedTech Forum provides a platform for U.S. and Malaysian companies to share best practices to advance the digitalization of Malaysia’s healthcare industry.
The MedTech Forum was organized between May 25th to 28th and garnered the participation of more than 150 industry representatives and senior government officials from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the U.S. Particularly for Malaysia, the event highlighted innovative, digital solutions and cutting-edge medical technology U.S. companies can deliver to better prevent and control noncommunicable diseases (e.g. cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer) in Malaysia. Participants, which included importers and distributors of medical devices and health IT solutions also had the opportunity to meet one-on-one to discuss potential partnerships in digital healthcare solutions to improve patient outcomes.
Health Minister Dato’ Sri Dr. Adham Baba spoke of Malaysia’s strategies to digitalize and modernize its healthcare system. In line with Malaysia’s goal to establish itself as a world-class medical tourism destination, healthcare providers plan to continue innovating and digitizing their healthcare infrastructure to provide the best treatment for their patients. U.S. companies are interested to enhance cooperation with Malaysia in achieving the above, and contribute to the forecasted annual growth rate of 9.2% through 2025 in Malaysia’s healthcare market.
U.S. Ambassador Brian McFeeters said “Health is one area where our countries face similar challenges as we combat non-communicable diseases, which remain just as deadly and life altering today as they did before the pandemic. Today’s event is timely and we hope it will serve as a platform for Malaysian and American industry experts to share best practices and strategies to manage NCDs and positively influence patient care outcomes in Malaysia.”
The U.S. exports account for 22% of Malaysia’s 2019 medical and dental market. With the support of the U.S. Commercial Service Malaysia, U.S. companies remain committed to enhancing cooperation with healthcare industry players to deliver leading medical technology and digital health solutions that benefit Malaysia.
The U.S. Commercial Service Malaysia promotes U.S. exports, facilitates inward investment to the U.S. and conducts commercial diplomacy to support U.S. business interests. For more information, please visit trade.gov/malaysia.