Expat Health

Malaysian health care is relatively advanced, readily available and affordable - but a new expatriate would be well advised to understand the Malaysian health care delivery system.

Unlike many other countries Malaysians can access General Practitioner, Specialists or even admit themselves to a private hospital without referrals provided they pay for these services themselves. Many Malaysians also do not have health insurance so they can either go to a Government/University Hospital or to a private hospital if they can afford it.

Expatriates are however advised to firstly contact their respective Embassies or High Commissions to find out their medical care arrangements and if they do not have one, or prefer other options they should try and find a family physician to whom they can provide all data or medical records and consult them in the event of a medical problem. The family physician can refer the expatriates to a particular specialist or have him admitted to a hospital under the care of a specialist in a required field. They can also help them to obtain a second opinion if necessary or in extreme cases make arrangements for such expatriates to be sent back to their home countries.

This arrangement usually helps expatriates and their family members as their family physician can also see them for routine medical examinations, immunizations, health advice, and counseling services. The family physician can also provide medical information to a specialist and liaise with family members or their physician in the home country.

Most expatriates find their family physician through word of mouth from others who have been here longer. They are advised to check out the family physicians qualifications, his experience in dealing with expatriates especially in obtaining medical insurance and his affiliations to hospitals and other specialists. He should also have some knowledge off the different health care provisions of different countries.

If an expatriates is already suffering from a condition like hypertension or diabetes for example he should bring with him all medical records from his physicians at home, or should ask his home physicians to send such records to his local family physician.