Health Screening Packages in Kuala Lumpur: A Medical Tourism Guide
Kuala Lumpur, my current home base, is known for its towering skyscrapers, bustling markets, and diverse cultures. But there’s another side to this vibrant city that's gaining international attention: its world-class medical facilities. Combining the allure of travel with the practicality of healthcare, medical tourism here offers a unique opportunity for those seeking quality treatment without breaking the bank.
The Health Screening area at Prince Court Medical Centre, where I’ve been for two comprehensive medical screenings
As a seasoned traveller and a resident of Kuala Lumpur for over 4 years now, I've witnessed firsthand as the city leans into an identity as a sought-after destination for medical tourism. One attractive option at hospitals in Kuala Lumpur includes their comprehensive health screening packages, which come at a reasonable cost and short timeframe for foreigners who face long wait times or high healthcare costs, such as Canadians or Americans. I can see the appeal of Malaysia for international patients, as KL offers English-speaking doctors and administration, as well as well-trained and reliable medical professionals and short wait times for appointments.
In this blog post, I’ll share information about some of the most popular private medical facilities in Kuala Lumpur: Prince Court Medical Centre, Gleneagles Hospital, Sunway Velocity Medical Centre, Subang Jaya Medical Centre, LifeCare Diagnostic Medical Centre, and Pantai Hospital. For each one, I'll share a description of what they offer, approximate cost of services, location, Google rating, booking information and links, as well as any notes I have about experiences there.
NOTE: THIS ARTICLE IS NOT MEDICAL ADVICE
I am not a medical professional. This article is based on my own experiences and those of friends, as well as information pulled directly from the websites of the hospitals mentioned. This article is intended to be guidance on what's available for health screenings in Kuala Lumpur.
Hospital prices and services are subject to change.
If you have an experience, information or a correction which could be helpful to add, you can contact me privately or leave a comment below.
Your Guide to Health Screenings in Kuala Lumpur:
Q&A: Seeking Healthcare in Kuala Lumpur
Cultural considerations, medical tourism, advantages & more
Medical Centres Offering Health Screening Packages in Kuala Lumpur
Q&A: Seeking Healthcare in KL
Waiting for my chest x-ray at Prince Court Medical Centre in Kuala Lumur, Malaysia
How To Prepare For a Comprehensive Health Screening
Be sure to read the instructions for your health screening carefully, as it's likely that you'll need to fast before your tests. Often it's just a 10-hour fasting period, but that can vary from test to test, so check if you can eat or drink plain water before arriving.
Scheduling Tips
Due to fasting requirements, I suggest you make sure to make an appointment which starts early morning. 10 AM is a sweet spot since you can avoid the worst of KL traffic by leaving after 9 AM.
That said, traffic can still be heavy in Kuala Lumpur, so give yourself extra time to arrive, especially if you are driving or taking Grab.
Things don't tend to move quickly in Malaysia, even in professional settings, so be sure to set aside the full day for your visit.
Bring water and plan to eat at the medical facility - they will have cafes/restaurants and convenience stores on-site. Hospitals like Prince Court include a voucher for lunch in the health screening package.
For women who menstruate, note the instructions for your screening about when it's best to do your tests according to your menstrual cycle. Usually, the request is that you get tested about 1-week after the end of your last period, but this might vary depending on what you're having assessed.
The waiting area at the main registration at Prince Court Medical Centre
What to bring
Health screenings are an out-patient service, however you will spend the better part of a day at the hospital to run various tests and wait for results. I suggest you wear comfortable clothes and bring the following with you:
Passport
Past medical records and family history, if applicable
Insurance details or guarantee letter, if applicable
Workout clothes, if you’re doing an exercise ECG test (aka stress test)
Jumper or cardigan to stay warm (air conditioning is intense in Malaysia!)
Something to occupy you while waiting in between screenings, like a book or earphones for podcasts, etc.
Payment
Price Comparison: Health Screenings in Kuala Lumpur
Medical Centres Offering Health Screening Packages in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Multiple hospitals offer health screening packages in Kuala Lumpur. I will cover six of them in this article, including pricing, packages, reviews, location and more:
Please note my disclaimer and that prices/packages are subject to change.
Prince Court Medical Centre (PCMC)
In central Kuala Lumpur, you'll find Prince Court Medical Centre, which opened in 2007. Prince Court has become popular among expats and medical tourists in Malaysia. It's known for its comprehensive approach to healthcare which adheres to international standards.
Stepping into Prince Court Medical Centre feels more like a luxury hotel than a typical medical facility. From the cafes and gleaming glass walls and elevators, it is beautifully designed. As you move further into the centre, the surroundings transition to the more familiar sights of a hospital – pristine and sterile, but maintaining an air of professionalism that sets Prince Court apart from regular hospitals in Malaysia.
The main lobby at Prince Court Medical Centre looks more like a hotel than a hospital
Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur (GKL)
Gleneagles Hospital is a holistic care medical centre offering health screening options in its four locations throughout Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Medini Johor and Kota Kinabalu. Established in 1996, today Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur is a 376-bed medical facility with a strong reputation and an impressive range of services.
The outside facade of Gleneagles Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Sunway Velocity Medical Centre (SVMC)
Sunway Velocity Medical Centre is part of the Sunway Healthcare Group. While they offer numerous health services and screening packages, they specialise in orthopaedic care, heart and lung health, neurology, paediatrics and women's health. They have a Health Screening Department where visitors can choose from a range of screening packages for regular or annual checkups.
Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC)
Subang Jaya Medical Centre is a comprehensive health facility located near Kuala Lumpur. SJMC is known for its 24/7 Careline and medical milestones like Malaysia's first open-heart surgery, bone marrow transplants and more. I will note that I reached out for information about pricing and never received a response to my inquiry, so I’ve shared here what I was able to get from their website.
LifeCare Diagnostic Medical Centre
LifeCare Diagnostic Medical Centre specialises in diagnostic healthcare, aiming to facilitate early detection and management of health issues, aligning with the belief that early detection and disease diagnosis can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur
Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur was founded in 1974 and today is a popular hospital for both locals and international visitors seeking quality medical care. They offer a wide variety of areas of specialisation, including comprehensive health screening packages.
Navigating Kuala Lumpur
How To Get Around
Kuala Lumpur is a big, hectic city, so if you're coming here for medical tourism, you'll want to familiarise yourself with where your appointments will be and make sure you choose your accommodations relative to that. Google Maps works well in KL for using public transportation, and drivers seem to prefer using Waze for driving directions. Some parts of KL are not very walkable which can be a challenge.
KL’s LRT station is relatively easy to navigate. If you are staying near a station, it can be a great and inexpensive way to get around the city
Public Transportation
If you choose a medical centre near an LRT or MRT train station, then you could make your life easy and select accommodations near a station with a direct route. This way, you avoid traffic altogether.
Taxis, Rideshares or Driving
If you aren't well enough to take public transportation or don't want to, then just be conscious of traffic and choose somewhere relatively close by.
If you want to use rideshares or taxis in Kuala Lumpur, I strongly suggest you install and set up the apps Grab and InDrive so you have options for how to call them. Grab has the most drivers, but sometimes they spike prices in peak hours, so it's good to have an alternative.
Where To Stay
Choose somewhere convenient for you based on the medical centre you'll be going to (especially if you'll have to be there multiple days), but also somewhere where you can access and enjoy the city.
Popular areas for tourists to stay include KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre), Bukit Bintang and Chinatown. If you prefer to be out of the hustle and bustle of the city, you could consider neighbourhoods like Mont Kiara or Petaling Jaya.
If you will be in Kuala Lumpur for more long-term, I suggest choosing an apartment rental in one of many beautiful condos in the city. Robertson and Regalia are some of my favourites for apartment rentals.
If you prefer a hotel, you can find and book one here with Booking.com:
What To Do With Your Free Time
You may as well enjoy your time in Kuala Lumpur, so be sure to take advantage of the amazing Malay, Indian and Chinese food you'll find here, explore Chinatown's markets, cafes and hidden bars, visit the Petronas Twin Towers during the day and at night to enjoy their spectacular architecture, visit the Islamic Arts Museum, go to Batu Caves to see a gigantic statue of Lord Murugan and the famous rainbow steps, and take a stroll in the Perdana Botanical Gardens.
You can also book a food tour, half-day tour, or even a day tour outside of the city, using GetYourGuide:
If you have a free weekend and want to explore further, consider a weekend trip to Penang (Malaysia), or head to Krabi or Bangkok (Thailand), or even to Singapore.
Bangkok can make for a great weekend trip from KL, as it’s only a 2-hour flight and you can see a lot in 2-3 days. Or, if you’re looking for a beach vacation, you can find direct flights from KL to Krabi, Thailand, instead.
If you have even more free time during your visit, then check out Sabah, Borneo (Malaysia), North Sumatra (Indonesia), Siem Reap (Cambodia) or consider a side trip to beautiful Vietnam.
Lastly, if you're a diver, then definitely make time to visit Malaysia's Pehrentian Islands or Sipadan Islands for some of the best diving in the world.
Share Your Experience
Have you ever experienced a health screening at any of these medical centres in Kuala Lumpur? Or maybe you've got some insider tips or personal stories to share? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Your insights could be a guiding light for others who are looking for medical attention.
Feel free to drop your thoughts, stories, or nuggets of wisdom in the comments below. Or, if you prefer a more personal touch, swing by my contact page and send me a message. Let's help each other navigate this exciting and ever-evolving world of medical tourism. Can’t wait to hear from you!
The waiting room at the health screening area (Prince Court) has comfy chairs, a TV and a coffee/snack area (for once you’re done fasting)
Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical professional, and the information provided in this blog post is based on my personal research and experiences. This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
Every individual's health needs and symptoms are unique, and I encourage you to conduct your own research and consult with qualified healthcare professionals for personalized advice and recommendations.
My aim is to help make existing information more easily accessible to help you find the information you need to find health screenings in Kuala Lumpur. I hope this information and my insights might help you in making informed decisions about medical tourism, but it's crucial to seek professional guidance for your specific health concerns.
Please also note that prices and foreign currency conversions listed here are from November 2023. The intention of sharing them is to help give you an idea and more easily compare the packages from different medical centres, so please check the prices for your chosen package and check conversion rates yourself using xe.com before booking.
Finally, note that I receive NO COMPENSATION from medical facilities, hospitals or doctors. I am simply sharing my experiences. I do receive commission from GetYourGuide and Booking.com links, which you can use to support my work at no extra cost to you.
Wishing You Well on Your Health Journey in Kuala Lumpur
I hope this guide to health screenings in Kuala Lumpur has sparked some ideas and provided valuable insights into what the city has to offer in the realm of medical tourism. Kuala Lumpur is not just a hub for diverse cultures and delicious food; it's also a growing centre for quality healthcare that's accessible and affordable.
As someone who's navigated the healthcare landscape here, I encourage you to explore these options, do your due diligence, and choose what’s best for your health and peace of mind based on the packages they offer, price points, specialities and, of course, your health needs.
I will note that I purposely did not include BP Healthcare or UMBI Wellness Centre on this list because I haven't been to either and I find their websites to be unprofessional and their Google review ratings to be quite low. Based on my research, reviews and experiences shared by friends here, I believe that the five medical centres I've presented are your best options for comprehensive health screening in Kuala Lumpur. While I've personally used Prince Court the most, I do believe they all have something to offer.
And if you've already been to KL for medical tourism, I'd love to hear about your experiences. Your stories and tips are invaluable, not just to me, but to the entire Travelynne community. So, share your thoughts in the comments, or reach out to me directly – let’s keep the conversation going!
Here’s to your health and adventures in this vibrant city!