COMPILED BY: Goh Ruoxue
Additional reporting BY: Elisa Valenta, Elysia Tan, Megan Cheah, Tan Ai Leng GRAPHIC: C MARTIN, SIMON ANG, BT
PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK
Affordability
Renowned tourist destination
Competitive edge
Limited brand recognition
Mounting regional competition
Insufficient investment in healthcare infrastructure
Drawbacks
Increased investments
Medical tourism special economic zones
Simplified licensing processes for foreign doctors
Support measures
Laos Cambodia
Top source countries
Medical tourists
About 300,000
US$2 billion
(S$2.7 billion)
Medical tourism revenue
Key figures (2023)
General health check-ups
Traditional medicine
Key specialities
Vietnam: Caring escape
Affordability
Renowned tourist destination
Rich tradition of herbal medicine, alternative therapies
Competitive edge
Lack of investment
No brand recognition
Regulatory uncertainty
Skilled-labour shortage
Mounting regional rivalry
Less competitive infrastructure
Drawbacks
Increased investments
Medical tourism special economic zones
Simplified licensing processes for foreign doctors
Support measures
Indonesia (64%) Malaysia (7%) US (5%)
Malaysia Singapore Australia
Top source countries
Medical Tourists
2.86 million
52 billion baht
(S$2.1 billion)
Medical Tourism Revenue
Key figures (2023)
Cosmetic
Dental care
Fertility
Key specialities
Indonesia: Wellness retreat
Speed
Affordability
Traditional therapies (eg: Ayurveda)
Competitive edge
Perceptions of poor sanitation
Informal healthcare structures
Lack of uniform pricing policies
Political uncertainty in Bangladesh
Drawbacks
Dedicated healthcare travel agency to streamline services
Visa-free travel arrangements for Chinese, Indian tourists to boost accessibility
Support measures
Bangladesh (~50%) Iraq Maldives
Top source countries
Medical tourists
635,000
Medical Tourism Revenue
US$
250 - 270 million
Key figures (2023)
Cardiology
Orthopaedics
Alternative medicine
Key specialities
India: Healing hands
Efficient services
Affordabilty
High quality
Influence of the Korean wave
World-class facilities
Cutting-edge technology
Competitive edge
Market saturation
Language barriers
Political uncertainty
Shifting consumer preferences
Cost competitiveness vs South-east Asia
Drawbacks
Corporate tax exemptions
Import duty exemptions
10-year medical-hub plan (2017 – 2026)
Support measures
Indonesia (64%) Malaysia (7%) US (5%)
Japan China US
Top source countries
Medical tourists
606,000
US$ 1.5 billion – 2 billion
Medical Tourism Revenue
Key figures (2023)
Dermatology
Plastic surgery
Oncology
FERTILITY hub
Key specialities
South Korea: Beauty and beyond
Affordability
Medical innovation
Top-notch hospitality
World-class tourism hub
Flexible legal frameworks
Skilled labour (eg: internationally trained, specialised physicians)
Competitive edge
Weak economic growth
Mounting regional competition
Expanding healthcare hubs in the Middle East
Drawbacks
Corporate tax exemptions
Import duty exemptions
10-year medical-hub plan (2017 – 2026)
Support measures
Indonesia (64%) Malaysia (7%) US (5%)
Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates
– 31%
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam
– 20%
China – 5%
Top source countries
(2023)
Medical tourists
2.86 million
52 billion baht
(S$2.1 billion)
Medical tourism revenue
Key figures (2023)
Cosmetic
Dental care
Orthopaedics
FERTILITY hub
Key specialities
Thailand: Affordable care haven
Price transparency
Stringent standards
Internationally trained physicians
Strategic geographical connectivity
State-of-the-art medical facilities, expertise
Competitive edge
Strong Singdollar
Rising operation costs
Mounting regional competition
Drawbacks
Dedicated healthcare travel agency to streamline services
Visa-free travel arrangements for Chinese, Indian tourists to boost accessibility
Support measures
Indonesia (64%) Malaysia (7%) US (5%)
Top source countries*
Medical tourists
~ 500,000 (unofficial estimate)
Medical tourism revenue
US$250 million -US$270 million
(S$342.2 million -S$369.6 million)
Key figures (2023)
Cardiology
ONCOLOGY
Orthopaedics
FERTILITY hub
Key specialities
Singapore: Premium healthcare hub
Affordability
Near Indonesia
Competitive edge
Ringgit volatility
Regulatory risks
Rising operation costs
Slower industry growth
Drawbacks
Dedicated healthcare travel agency to streamline services
Visa-free travel arrangements for Chinese, Indian tourists to boost accessibility
Support measures
Indonesia (65%) China (5%) India (3%)
Top source countries
Medical tourists
1.1 million
Medical tourism revenue
2 billion ringgit
(S$602.8 million)
Key figures (2023)
FERTILITY
Cardiology
ONCOLOGY
FERTILITY hub
Key specialities
Malaysia: Fertility hub
Touring for a cure
* Retrieved by DBS from 2014 government data
