Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur



Health Care in Kuala Lumpur

By Betsy Burlingame

SJB Global
SJB Global

Summary: Learn about the health system in Kuala Lumpur: how it can and cannot be used by expats, nomads, retirees and others moving to and living in Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur has a public and private healthcare system. The public healthcare system is called the Ministry of Health Malaysia and is used by both locals and foreigners. People generally recommend using public hospitals in Kuala Lumpur for serious medical emergencies and major surgery. Public hospitals in Kuala Lumpur are generally clean and well-equipped, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Foreigners, including expats and digital nomads, are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Malaysia. However, many expats and digital nomads prefer to use private hospitals for serious medical emergencies and major surgery. Private hospitals in Kuala Lumpur are modern, well-equipped, and offer a higher level of service than public hospitals.

Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Kuala Lumpur

Recommended clinics and hospitals in Kuala Lumpur for expats include:

  • Kuala Lumpur General Hospital (public hospital) - located in the city center
  • University Malaya Medical Centre (public hospital) - located in the city center
  • Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur (private hospital) - located in the city center
  • Sunway Medical Centre (private hospital) - located in the suburbs, about 20 minutes from the city center
  • Prince Court Medical Centre (private hospital) - located in the city center, specializes in cardiology and oncology

Emergency Services in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur has ambulance services that can be called by dialing 999. Ambulances usually arrive quickly, but there can be delays depending on the time of day and the location.

Health Insurance Companies in Kuala Lumpur

The most popular private health insurers in Kuala Lumpur are AIA, Great Eastern, and Prudential. Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies, although some may opt for specialized expat health insurance providers.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.


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