Medical Tourism News
Malaysia will join global healthcare information group to raise its profile
Agreement aims to facilitate digital transformation of local hospitals
Thailand ’ s hazy skies forecast gloomy tourism sector
Air pollution may force tourists to consider neighbouring countries
The resurgence of Thailand ’ s tourism economy following the pandemic is being hampered by the country ’ s worsening air pollution .
Popular tourist destinations such as the country ’ s northern Chiang Mai region have recorded air quality index readings exceeding 200 throughout February , a level deemed unhealthy by public health standards . Additionally , Bangkok ’ s particulate matter ( PM ) 2.5 concentration is fourteen times higher than the World Health Organization ’ s recommended levels . A variety of respiratory issues , including eye and nose discomfort , coughing , and sneezing , can be brought on by high levels of PM 2.5 .
The deteriorating air quality is attributed mainly to the dry season , when farmers burn sugar cane fields to remove leaves before harvesting , and vehicle carbon gas emissions . This has prompted locals to continue public masking despite the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions .
The poor air quality is expected to continue until April , prompting the chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries , Kriengkrai Thiennukul , to predict a bleak outlook for the country ’ s tourism sector . “ International tourists may postpone their travel to Thailand , or worse , choose instead to go to a different country with cleaner air ,” he told Nikkei Asia .
Government measures to curb air pollution have been marred by delays in deploying cloud-seeding aircraft to induce rainfall and installing air purifiers in urban settings . While several legislative initiatives to combat air pollution have been discussed , they have yet to pass due to resistance from enterprises that would be subject to the stricter rules .
The Malaysian Healthcare Travel Council ( MHTC ) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU ) with the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society ( HIMSS ) aimed at helping Malaysia become a leading destination for healthcare tourism in the Asia-Pacific .
HIMSS , a nonprofit consultation group in health system transformation with an extensive membership globally , will participate in Malaysia ’ s Flagship Hospital Initiative as a strategic partner in elevating the worldwide profile of the country ’ s most prestigious hospitals . The group will work with these hospitals to reach HIMSS Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model ( EMRAM ) Stage 7 capacity building by 2025 .
The EMRAM evaluates clinical outcomes , patient engagement , and clinician utilisation of EMR technology to improve organisational performance and health outcomes across patient groups . The MHTC will then suggest the EMRAM system be applied to all its 73 member hospitals and further develop its digital infrastructure .
The key strategies of the MOU for promoting innovation and sustainable growth of the healthcare sector include knowledge-sharing and capacitybuilding efforts to promote digital transition . Strategic thought leadership to establish a value proposition for Malaysia by using both parties ’ healthcare travel and wellness resources and experience will also feature prominently , as will use of HIMMS ’ regional and global network to boost Malaysian healthcare ’ s visibility among target markets .
44 ISSUE 1 | 2023 GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com