Singaporeans go to Malaysia for medical treatment

Many patients in Singapore are now choosing to travel to Malaysia for their medical treatment, according to recent reports from Health Management International.

The reports claim that medical bills in Malaysia are often 50% cheaper than in Singapore, which is the main reason why people are choosing to travel further away for their medical care.

One patient paid the equivalent of $2,018 for a cataract operation in Malaysia, which would have cost up to $4,856 in a Singaporean private hospital. Another patient opted to have a Caesarean in Malaysia where it cost $3,575. The same procedure in Singapore would have cost between $5,840 and $6,287.

Singaporeans travelling to Malaysia for medical treatment can often claim back all or part of the costs of the procedures through Medisave, making travel an even more appealing prospect for many patients.

Sources: Health Management International, Ministry of Health website