To promote international exchange on healthcare security policy and practical industry cooperation, AmCham China organized the Malaysia Healthcare Security Policy and Industry Exchange Delegation in Kuala Lumpur from June 15–18. The delegation brought together nearly 20 participants, including officials from provincial healthcare security administrations in China and executives from leading US innovative healthcare companies. Through meetings with government agencies, healthcare institutions, industry associations, and policy experts, participants explored healthcare system development, pharmaceutical and medical device procurement, regulatory frameworks, and opportunities for greater China–Malaysia collaboration across the healthcare sector.
The delegation visited the Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA), where Alzina Hamdan, Director of the Life Sciences and Medical Technology Division, and Noraisyah Nordin, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Division, provided an overview of Malaysia’s pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology sectors.
Discussions focused on market access procedures for imported medical products and the implications of regulatory cooperation and mutual recognition initiatives between China and Malaysia in the medical device sector.
Prince Court Medical Center
At Prince Court Medical Centre, the delegation met with Dr. Tan Sok Kheng, Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Kuljit Singh, Medical Director of Prince Court Medical Centre and President of the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia.
Representatives shared insights into Malaysia’s private healthcare sector and discussed how private hospital groups engage with the Ministry of Health on issues such as healthcare pricing, insurance reimbursement, foreign investment in healthcare institutions, and cross-border healthcare regulation. These efforts aim to strengthen collaboration and resource complementarity between the public and private healthcare systems.
The delegation also toured the hospital’s Orthopedics, Oncology, and Emergency Departments, where department leaders introduced clinical operations and patient care pathways.
KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital 2
The delegation also visited KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital 2, a flagship smart tertiary-care hospital operated by KPJ Healthcare, one of Malaysia’s leading private healthcare groups.
Hospital representatives introduced the institution’s operations and shared experiences regarding the use of imported pharmaceuticals and medical devices, as well as existing collaborations with multinational healthcare companies. Following the discussion, delegation members toured the premium inpatient wards, Radiology Department, and Orthopedics Department.
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE)
The delegation met with Abdul Halim Mohamed Shariff, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), and his team.
MATRADE representatives provided an overview of major healthcare exhibitions across ASEAN, regional healthcare market developments, and import-export support services. During the exchange, delegation members also extended an invitation to relevant Malaysian stakeholders to participate in the China–ASEAN Expo scheduled for September.
Malaysian Medical Device Association
The delegation held a roundtable discussion with the Malaysian Medical Device Association (MMDA). Gertrude Ting, Honorary Treasurer of the association, introduced MMDA’s efforts in regulatory policy interpretation and market-entry support services for the medical device industry in Malaysia.
Participants exchanged views on medical device import tariffs, mutual recognition of medical device registrations within ASEAN, and market access for imported medical devices in public hospitals.
China–Malaysia Healthcare Security Systems Seminar
At the China–Malaysia Healthcare Security Systems Seminar, Dr. Hu, Health Advisor for the Asia-Pacific Region at the World Bank, shared insights drawn from extensive clinical experience across both public and private healthcare systems, as well as project experience with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health.
The seminar provided participants with a comprehensive overview of Malaysia’s healthcare system, public-private healthcare partnerships, and Ministry of Health procurement programs.
In addition, an insurance industry expert with extensive experience in Malaysia’s commercial health insurance market provided an in-depth analysis of the country’s commercial healthcare insurance landscape, including major product categories, operating models, and hospital reimbursement mechanisms.
Galen Center for Health and Social Policy
The delegation also met with the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, a leading Malaysian think tank specializing in healthcare policy research, healthcare financing, and healthcare service standardization.
The center delivered a dedicated briefing on Malaysia’s healthcare security system, covering healthcare system design, fund management mechanisms, cost-control practices, and public welfare implementation. Participants also exchanged views on the similarities and differences between the healthcare systems of China and Malaysia and explored areas for mutual learning and future cooperation.
Through direct engagement with government agencies, healthcare providers, industry associations, and research organizations, the delegation established an open and practical platform for dialogue and exchange. The visit facilitated deeper discussions between Chinese healthcare security authorities and their Malaysian counterparts while exploring opportunities for cooperation in pharmaceutical and medical device procurement, regulatory mutual recognition, and international healthcare industry development.
Click here to learn more about AmCham China’s Healthcare Cooperation Program.