Asia Medical 2011

October 5-7, 2011, Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Web: www.asiamedical.org

 Asia Medical 2011—Platform for Malaysia's Potential as Regional Medical Devices Hub

The potential for Malaysia to position itself as a developer, manufacturer, and supplier of medical devices and become a hub for the Asian growth region has received a boost with the announcement of the latest project initiatives under the Economic Transformation Programme known widely as the ETP. Currently, Malaysia is one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of rubber-based consumables, and it is believed that the experience tied up with Malaysia's rising electrical and electronic industry creates a unique opportunity for the country to explore more into the medical device industry. This opportunity coupled with Malaysia's ever-growing tourism industry also places itself as the ideal medical tourism spot.
Under the healthcare segment of the National Key Economic Areas, new plans announced include the construction of a 160-acre UCSI Group integrated health education cluster in Port Dickson featuring Malaysia's first private teaching hospital and two Sime Darby specialist hospitals in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia already has a significant medical devices industry, mainly in catheters, surgical gloves, and medical instrumentation, supplying 80% of the global market in catheters and 60% of the rubber glove market. Valued at RM2.7 billion last year, Malaysia's medical devices industry is estimated to increase to RM2.9 billion in 2011 and RM5 billion by 2012. The government has also allowed SME grants to be given to small local companies in niche medical device sub-sectors to facilitate growth to become regional and global companies.
In March this year, the Ministry of Health Malaysia introduced the Medical Devices Act, making it a rule for manufacturers of medical devices to register their products with the ministry so that they may be protected under the country's patent rights. This move enables the ministry to upkeep the quality of the devices manufactured locally and internationally.
This rapidly expanding sector of the economy will be highlighted during Asia Medical 2011, the 1st Asia International Medical Supplies, Equipment and Technology Exhibition & Conference, which will be held from October 5 to 7, 2011 at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
At Asia Medical 2011, exhibitors from across the globe will display a full range of products and technology, including dental equipment, diagnostics, electromedical devices, laboratory equipment, medical consumables, ophthalmic supplies, pharmaceutical supplies, and medical furniture.
In addition to national pavilions from Singapore, Korea, and Pakistan, companies who have confirmed their participation include Healthtronics, OSA Technology, Modiezham, Nouvag, Fuji Film, PLT Scientific, Tech Lab, Xspec, Smart Instruments, Elid Sales and Marketing, Luxfer Gas Cyclinders, LKL and WTK Technologies.
The estimated 7,000 trade visitors will comprise all manner of healthcare professionals working in hospitals, surgeries, clinics, paramedical, laboratories, pharmacist outlets, and OTC retailers in ASEAN. This includes more than 300 IT directors and managers from hospitals throughout the country.
To complement Asia Medical 2011, two conferences will be held. Frost & Sullivan will be organizing the "Breaking Grounds with New Medical Technology" conference filled with an exciting lineup of conference topics and international speakers who will be sharing experience-based knowledge with the medical community, while the Ministry of Health's Informatics Centre (HIC) will be running the HIS Interoperability Summit with more than 400 public medical officers. Both conferenVans Old Skool Grise