Putting the spotlight on the media and their role in reinforcing Malaysia’s position as the preferred destination for healthcare travel

KUALA LUMPUR, 3 March 2023 – The Medical Travel Media Awards (MTMA) by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) is back. This marks its fourth iteration and first since the reopening of global borders. Held annually since 2019, MTMA is touted as the first international media awards that celebrates the media’s contributions – on print, online, broadcasting and social media platforms – in promoting medical travel in Malaysia.

“Recognising the media’s role in growing and shaping Malaysia’s reputation as a healthcare destination over the past year, we are pleased to announce the return of MTMA, celebrating media’s contributions through excellent journalism and storytelling in promoting Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry. As we move forward with our industry rebuilding efforts in 2023, we also look forward to working closely with the media and key industry players in promoting Malaysia as a healthcare travel destination and facilitating a seamless end-to-end healthcare travel experience for international patients,” said Mohd Daud Mohd Arif, Chief Executive Officer of MHTC.

Participants from both local and international media, encompassing journalists, freelancers and influencers, are invited to submit their entries from 14 February 2023 to 14 October 2023 (before 5:00pm, Malaysian Standard Time) for a chance to win cash prizes and trophies.


Twelve categories will be up for grabs this year. These are:

–     Best Print Medical Travel Report;

–     Best Online Medical Travel Report;

–     Best Broadcast Medical Travel Feature;

–     Best Medical Travel Influencer;

–     Medical Travel Editorial Team of the Year; and

–     Medical Travel Journalist of the Year

with each being further divided into subcategories for Malaysian and international media.

Entries dated from 14 February 2022 onwards are eligible for submission, provided that they abide by the following criteria.

-Print/Online Media: Minimum length of 800 words

-Broadcast Media: Minimum length of 60 seconds

-Influencers/Key Opinion Leaders/Freelancers:

A minimum of one social media content on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok or blogs, in the following form(s):

o   1 video with a minimum length of 15 seconds; or

o   1 static social media post with single or multiple photos; or

o   1 blog article with a minimum length of 500 words; or

o   Commentary/Letter/Opinion piece: 1 article with a minimum length of 500 words

All eligible entries will be evaluated by a panel of Malaysian and international media experts based on key aspects such as quality of research, presentation of content, creativity, digital or social presence, and content shareability. Finalists and winners will be announced during the MTMA awards presentation ceremony on 14 December 2023.

Find out more about the MTMA2023 from MHTC’s Chief Executive Officer at ​​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7luian1LphQ&feature=youtu.be. To get further details on the submission of entries and MTMA2023, visit www.mhtc.org.my/mtma.

For information on Malaysia Healthcare and its services, please visit https://malaysiahealthcare.org.my or visit our social feeds at: www.facebook.com/MHTCMalaysia or at LinkedIn (Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council).