Leading the way to better health - one pill at a time - are India and Malaysia. A boon for patients seeking medical treatment without going bankrupt, the medical sector is booming in both nations.

Imagine the medical situation of developed nations such as USA, UK, and Australia, or even the underdeveloped nations such as Uganda, to be a ginormous blood test. The syringe sucks as much money out of you and helps your suffering by making you endure a minor ordeal of tests and consultations, making you feel sicker than when you arrived, despite being cured.

Now imagine the developing nations such as India, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore to be the cheaper magic pill – a dose of which is far more calming, comforting and reassuring. The “pill” costs 80% less than most medical treatments of the west, and is as effective or even better.

The medical education sector in these nations has led the way and grown leaps and bounds by producing a large amount of doctors annually, who are far more practised at diagnostics than their Western counterparts, very often because they see a wider and frankly, more weird variety of diseases in Asia than in the West.

India leads the way. It falls under the top medical tourism countries of the world, with the scope to witness an annual growth rate of 30%, making it a $2 billion industry by the year-end. There are 21 Joint Commission International accredited hospitals in India and the number is growing.

The reason why patients perceive India to be the ideal option for healthcare is the credibility in research and technology it supports. Doctors in India are also well-versed in English and some of the best hospitals in the country ensure translators for their esteemed guests. Hence, addressing the problem of a language barrier that would otherwise be a cause of concern.

While India focuses on the overall health and well-being, facilitated by exceptional technology and modern medical practices, along with spiritual healing, Malaysia is emerging as a strong competitor in the medical tourism industry.

Although India’s Medical tourism mainly constitutes of patients arriving for the cure of cardiac related problems or hip surgeries, there is a large demand for alternative medicine as well. Healing methods such as Yoga, Ayurveda and Homeopathy have emerged as a recuperation option with the benefit of being a spiritual experience – being a popular attraction from visitors from the West.

While India focuses on the overall health and well-being, facilitated by exceptional technology and modern medical practices, along with spiritual healing, Malaysia is emerging as a strong competitor in the medical tourism industry. Booming in the cosmetic surgery sector, Malaysia also provides state of the art health care, in state of the art luxurious Hospitals.

Credited as being the “Medical Travel Destination of the Year” at the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ) Medical Travel Awards 2015 in London, Malaysia has come a long way since 2010, reaching 770,000 patients and $200 million in revenue.

Malaysia, home to beautiful holidays in Penang or Kuala Lumpur, connects overseas clients with local cosmetic surgeons, arranges their accommodations, and facilitates their pre and post operation check-ups. Apart from the usual medical facilities, hospitals here have heavily invested in the recuperating experience, involving sightseeing, cultural exposure, etc. Given Malaysia’s reputation for graceful and attentive service, it is not hard to see why Penang and Kuala Lumpur have quickly become the medical tourism hubs of Asia.

Taking a page from Malaysian tourism, India has begun to intensify its efforts to compete with the luxurious accommodation and facilities of its neighbour. They are also looking at lucrative locations such as Goa to convert into a Medical Tourist location. Both countries have also relaxed VISA norms considerably, inviting more and more patients from across the border.

India and Malaysia do have certain labour and infrastructural problems, voiced by doctors and medical sector workers. It is evident that need more joint ventures with Western medical and health institutions to upgrade its methods and equipment if they want to continue to lead the medical revolution that is affordable and efficient

Malaysia and India find frequent visitors not only from the West, but also from under-developed countries from Africa, who are unable to find quality healthcare at affordable rates, leaving them with no option but to flee to one of the two nations.

Western Expatriates are faced with various health insurance costs and complications; it becomes a recuperation holiday for them. Taking the “pill” is a more desirable and tension-free option, causing the medical sector to flourish in countries such as India and Malaysia where education and investment in the field is at its peak.