Malaysia seeks direct Chattogram-Kuala Lumpur flights to support medical travel
The proposal was raised
at Malaysia Healthcare Week Bangladesh 2026, held in Chattogram on September 20
by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council. Officials also discussed speeding up
medical visa processing and expanding cooperation between healthcare
professionals and institutions in both countries.
Malaysian Consul General
Akhtar Parvez said a nonstop service could make treatment trips easier for
patients from Chattogram and surrounding areas. He said discussions were
underway and a direct flight could potentially begin by December.
Husami Azer, MHTC head of
developing markets, said the council wants to broaden its role beyond
facilitating patient travel. Plans include training programs for Bangladeshi
doctors and nurses, professional exchanges and clinical knowledge-sharing.
Discussions are also taking place on bringing Malaysian specialists to
Bangladesh for cases that cannot be treated locally.
MHTC provides
international patients with assistance including medical visa documentation, airport
reception, transfers, accommodation and hospital coordination.
Four Malaysian
providers—Alpha International Fertility Centre, IHH Healthcare Malaysia, KL
Fertility and Gynaecology Centre and Sunway Medical Centre—participated in the
Chattogram event.
MHTC officials said
expanding engagement in Chattogram could strengthen healthcare links with
patients, doctors and other medical stakeholders outside Dhaka.
