The neighboring countries are broadening cooperation in digital health, healthy aging and disease prevention, while Malaysia points to nearly 969,000 medical tourism visits in 2025
Indonesia and Malaysia are expanding their strategic cooperation in healthcare, adding new fields ranging from digital health and traditional medicine to healthy aging and environmental health. The initiative comes as both countries seek to strengthen their health systems against emerging challenges such as zoonotic diseases and dengue fever.
Ministers discuss new areas of cooperation
The plans were discussed by Malaysian Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad and Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin during a meeting on the sidelines of the 17th ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting in Malaysia.
Among the areas identified for closer cooperation are digital healthcare, traditional and complementary medicine and programs addressing the needs of aging populations. Environmental health is another priority, particularly as Southeast Asian countries face recurring outbreaks of dengue and potential threats from diseases transmitted between animals and humans.
The talks build on the health memorandum of understanding signed by Indonesia and Malaysia in Jakarta on July 29, 2025. Malaysia’s Health Ministry said both sides are now seeking to broaden the practical implementation of the agreement.
Malaysia highlights medical tourism from Indonesia
Cross-border healthcare also has a significant economic dimension. Malaysia remains an important destination for international patients, including travelers from neighboring Indonesia.
According to Malaysia’s Health Ministry, the country recorded 968,706 medical tourism visits in 2025, generating more than 2.2 billion ringgit in revenue. The ministry expressed appreciation for the continued confidence international patients place in Malaysia as a medical tourism destination.
Beyond patient flows, the closer cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia is intended to improve the resilience of their healthcare systems and support sustainable access to public health services as both countries confront demographic change and new disease risks.
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