GEORGE TOWN: Foreigners are still flocking to Penang for medical treatment, and local patients are enjoying the benefits. The foreign patients have led to improved use of facilities and equipment, thus lowering costs and allowing hospitals to offer services at lower rates to local patients. However, he said China is rising as a competitor as hospitals there are also targeting the same foreign patients. On concerns that foreign patients could reduce access for locals, Phua said locals were not being pushed aside and waiting times had not been significantly affected. Foreign patients, he said, typically stayed in Penang for several days and were less sensitive to waiting times, unlike locals.
