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Malaysia likely to remain attractive to medical tourists amid geopolitics, currency swings: IHH group CEO

The country’s cost-competitiveness and growing capacity are seen as advantages by price-sensitive patients

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Tan Ai Leng

Tan Ai Leng

Published Mon, Apr 6, 2026 · 07:00 AM
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    • Dr Prem Kumar Nair, group CEO of IHH Healthcare, says healthcare demand tends to be deferred rather than cancelled, with patients eventually returning once economic conditions stabilise.
    • Dr Prem Kumar Nair, group CEO of IHH Healthcare, says healthcare demand tends to be deferred rather than cancelled, with patients eventually returning once economic conditions stabilise. PHOTO: JENNY LOW

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    [KUALA LUMPUR] The Middle East crisis is hitting South-east Asian currencies and patients’ wallets, leading many to bypass premium medical hubs such as Singapore in favour of more cost-effective destinations like Malaysia.

    Dr Prem Kumar Nair, group chief executive of IHH Healthcare – which is dual-listed on the Singapore Exchange and Bursa Malaysia – said that he is already seeing the initial impacts on the global health-services provider.

    The group operates 89 hospitals and more than 140 healthcare facilities, including ancillary centres, in 11 markets globally.

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