Post-Pandemic Surge: CMUH Sees a Hundredfold Growth in New Southbound Medical Tourism Patients

CMUH’s Third Year in MOHW’s New Southbound Policy
Highlighting Advanced Treatment for Critical Illnesses in Malaysia in Collaboration with Wistron Medical and HCT SmartMed

With the resumption of global travel, Taiwan's healthcare institutions are witnessing a surge in international medical tourism. Since 2022, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital (CMUH) has been spearheading the Ministry of Health and Welfare's New Southbound Policy, successfully promoting specialized treatments for critical illnesses, including cancer cell therapy, to Malaysia, Brunei, and extending to Singapore. The hospital has seen a significant influx of international patients, with CMUH President Dr. Te-Yang Chou noting a 256-fold increase in Malaysian patients and a 47-fold increase in Bruneian patients in 2023 compared to the previous year, including health screenings. This growth not only benefits the hospital but also boosts Taichung City's medical tourism industry, creating substantial inbound benefits and facilitating outbound opportunities for Taiwan's healthcare sector.

Before the pandemic, the majority of international patients came from mainland China, but various unfavorable factors have led to a shift, with New Southbound countries now surpassing China. Thanks to the New Southbound Policy, CMUH has expanded its specialized medical services to Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Sarawak, Sabah) and Brunei, with a marked increase in health screenings and medical treatments. The hospital has made significant strides in treating severe conditions, such as brain cancer, minimally invasive catheter-based heart procedures for various cardiovascular diseases (including atrial fibrillation, arrhythmias, aortic valve replacement, and peripheral vascular obstructions), non-invasive treatments like Gamma Knife for severe tremors, and minimally invasive skull base tumor surgeries. These advanced treatments have greatly enhanced CMUH’s reputation in Malaysia.

First Minimally Invasive Surgery Training for Asian Physicians at IMU under a New MOU

Ms. Ling-Ying Wu, a specialist from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated that the third year of the New Southbound Policy has shown significant results, with promising prospects ahead. Under the leadership of Dr. Te-Yang Chou, CMUH’s International Medical Center, led by Dr. Chih-Kun Huang, has taken the lead by launching the first demonstration of the "Asian Physicians Minimally Invasive Surgery Training Platform" in Kuala Lumpur on April 29, in partnership with the Silent Mentor Program. Following this, CMUH signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia's first and most established private medical and health sciences university, to commence training programs for healthcare professionals and promote multifaceted medical exchanges. This mission also included the task of connecting Taiwan's healthcare industry with Malaysia. On May 2, CMUH, alongside HCT SmartMed, a provider of smart hospital solutions, and Wistron Medical’s Keeogo exoskeleton robot, will participate in the IMU-2024 Next Generation of Care: Merging Healthcare & Technology Conference, showcasing the dual brands of CMUH’s international medical services and Taiwan’s exceptional healthcare products.

Taichung City, Taiwan’s second-largest city, is a model for livability. It features the internationally renowned Fengjia Night Market, world-class Taichung Opera House, Luce Chapel, and the Asia Museum of Modern Art, all masterpieces by Pritzker Prize-winning architects. The city also boasts the Guguan Hot Springs and is near the Sun Moon Lake, an international tourist destination, making it a prime candidate for the development of international medical tourism. Through the promotion of the New Southbound Policy, CMUH is not only allowing international visitors to experience Taiwan's top-notch medical services but is also poised to drive a new wave of economic growth in Taichung’s post-pandemic medical tourism industry.