31 Mar Malaysia Supports Myanmar’s Healthcare Development Through Strategic Collaboration
Yangon, 4 March 2026 – The “Myanmar Healthcare Outlook 2026” webinar successfully brought together key stakeholders from Malaysia and Myanmar to explore emerging opportunities in Myanmar’s healthcare sector, which continues to demonstrate strong and resilient demand.
Driven by a population of over 54 million and increasing reliance on private healthcare services, Myanmar’s healthcare sector remains a critical and non-discretionary segment of the economy. The country continues to depend heavily on imports to meet its healthcare needs, creating significant opportunities for international partners.
In his opening remarks, H.E. Hew Tse Hou, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Malaysia in Yangon, highlighted that Myanmar imports approximately 85–90% of its pharmaceutical and medical requirements, reflecting a sustained supply gap. He emphasised that Malaysia is well-positioned to support Myanmar’s healthcare development, backed by its strong reputation for quality, regulatory compliance, and cost competitiveness. He also noted that healthcare products being listed under Myanmar’s Essential Import List provides a degree of commercial continuity for suppliers.
Mr Muhd Hairi Zainal Abidin, Economic Counsellor at the Embassy of Malaysia in Yangon, underscored the sector’s resilience despite ongoing economic challenges. He noted that Malaysian exporters can tap into this market by adopting a strategic approach, including compliance readiness, effective navigation of foreign exchange constraints, and building strong local partnerships.
Providing industry insights, Dr Win Kyaing, President of the Myanmar Chamber of Commerce for Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices (MCCPMD), shared that Myanmar’s healthcare market—estimated at USD 300–500 million annually—continues to grow, with import reliance at 80–85% for pharmaceuticals and up to 95% for medical devices. This presents substantial opportunities for foreign suppliers to contribute to the sector’s development.
Mr Joseph Lopez, CEO of Myanmar Primal Synergy, described Myanmar as a frontier market that requires sustained commitment and trust-building for long-term success. He highlighted that Malaysia’s competitive strengths in healthcare services, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, education, and medical tourism are increasingly in demand, while noting the significant untapped potential as Malaysia currently accounts for only a small share of Myanmar’s outbound healthcare market.
Meanwhile, Mr Siva Prakash, President of the Malaysia-Myanmar Business Chamber (MMBC), highlighted the country’s ongoing healthcare capacity gaps, including outbound medical travel estimated at USD 600 million annually. He also noted that Myanmar’s medical device market is projected to reach USD 220 million by 2025, indicating strong growth potential. These gaps, he said, present first-mover advantages for Malaysian companies across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, digital health, and healthcare infrastructure.
The webinar attracted strong participation, with over 100 attendees representing 72 Malaysian companies, reflecting growing interest in Myanmar’s healthcare sector and Malaysia’s role as a trusted partner in supporting its development.