Background: Malaysia is the first and the only Asian county that has medical tourism under its Ministry of Health, implying that medical care is seen as the first priority of the medical tourism industry. Malaysia attracts overseas visitors because of its high level of health care and low medical treatment charges, and 60% of the revenue is received from the state of Penang. Methodology: This study was conducted to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), as well as suggestions are given based on the medical tourism business in Penang state. This study used a semi-structured questionnaire to survey opinions regarding the internal and external factors affecting the medical tourism industry in Penang state, Malaysia. A SWOT analysis was conducted to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Results: The achievements of further objectives are given based on the identified SWOT, to assist in the further evolution of medical tourism in the Malaysian. Conclusion: This study attempts to offers insights into challenges and prospects of the Malaysian medical tourism industry specifically, and the further objectives are given based on the identified SWOT, to assist in the further evolution of medical tourism in the Penang, Malaysia.
Key words: Penang, global healthcare, health policy, medical tourism, SWOT
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