Like other Southeast Asian countries that shifted to telemedicine from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Malaysia telehealth market experienced a massive growth in the last two years. While the government has invested in healthcare technology prior to the pandemic, it has now been fully embraced as part of the new normal in Malaysia. More medical professionals have adopted digital tools to provide healthcare services.
Malaysia has one of the highest internet penetration rates in Southeast Asia. This made it easier for consumers to adapt to telemedicine during the pandemic, maximizing healthcare technology to receive diagnosis and ensure monitoring from their healthcare providers. As digital health apps, wearable tech usage, and telemedicine access increase in the country, there are plenty of opportunities in the digital healthcare space in Malaysia.
Looking at the current trends and developments in the industry, what does the future of digital healthcare in Malaysia look like? We explore the emergence of digital health infrastructure and the opportunities in healthcare technology in Malaysia.
Malaysia already has a Telemedicine Blueprint from 1997, which recognized the need for new regulations and agencies to support the country’s transition to the new age of healthcare. Government agencies have guaranteed that the industry maintains high standards for quality services, while also ensuring that they are accessible to consumers.
The growth of Malaysia’s telehealth market accelerated largely because of the pandemic, led by private institutions that invested in digital solutions to provide telemedicine. Many consumers have also expressed that they will continue to use telehealth as part of the new normal. In Malaysia, healthcare service providers are encouraged by the government to embrace these opportunities and utilize existing infrastructures for the telehealth market to achieve sustainable growth.
Global trends indicate that teleconsults increased by 38% compared to the pre-pandemic era. For private healthcare providers that were able to leverage the growth of Malaysia’s telehealth market, setting up their own telemedicine platforms for online consultations will prove to be beneficial. Other telemedicine service providers also saw higher usage of their apps in the last two years. They can harness their digital platforms and strengthen their security for the safety of their clients.
The future of digital healthcare in Malaysia should become more inclusive to patients in different regions of the country. Some areas with poor internet connectivity will become challenging for digital healthcare providers to reach. Many opportunities for investors to make healthcare technology more accessible to these customers will contribute to the growth of the telehealth market in the country.
Digital healthcare service providers can also improve their offerings by providing more personalized treatments and care for consumers. Patient-centric solutions are important to ensure that telehealth services remain to be the top choice for patients seeking high-quality healthcare services. In addition, making these services more affordable for patients will allow them to reach more customers and enjoy a greater market share.
As Malaysia embraces the new normal with digital healthcare, opportunities in improving digital infrastructure and analyzing digital health data will allow healthcare providers to improve their services. Technology allows medical practitioners to offer personalized treatments and care in a more accessible way, and it’s here to stay.
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