Category: Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) — Kao Corporation, a Japan-based manufacturer of cosmetics, personal care and household products, announced its skincare brand Bioré will accelerate its international expansion as it enters the South Korean market and rolls out a globally unified campaign.

Currently available in 66 countries and regions across Asia, the Americas, and Europe, Bioré has steadily strengthened its global presence.

According to Kao in a statement, the South Korean entry aims to reinforce trust in the brand’s proprietary sunscreen technology while serving as a strategic springboard for broader expansion across Asia and other international markets.

Beginning March 2026, Bioré will also launch a global campaign centred on Bioré UV, featuring Stray Kids, the South Korean boy band, as its face.

The campaign will roll out simultaneously across more than 15 countries and regions, combining globally unified creative assets with locally optimised initiatives tailored to each market. Influencers from key regions will also participate to deliver culturally relevant content.

Amid rising global temperatures and heightened awareness of ultraviolet (UV) exposure, Bioré’s campaign conveys the message “SUNLIGHT IS YOUR SPOTLIGHT.”, encouraging people worldwide to step confidently into the sun.

The campaign will kick off with the “YOUR ONE AND ONLY. Bioré Global Brand Event” on March 19 in Seongsu, Seoul, one of South Korea’s vibrant cultural hubs.

Through anthem films, out-of-home advertising, social media content, global graphics, and pop-up store activations, Bioré aims to showcase the unique value of Bioré UV—superior protection with a lightweight, refreshing feel—strengthening its global brand identity and engagement across markets.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) — Bangladesh’s medical travel landscape is evolving as patients increasingly explore alternative destinations for specialised treatment abroad. For many years, Bangladeshi patients travelled primarily to India for medical care due to its proximity and established referral pathways. However, recent visa restrictions affecting Bangladeshi travellers have disrupted this long-standing treatment corridor, prompting patients and healthcare facilitators to explore new healthcare destinations across the region.

In response to this shift, the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) is strengthening its engagement with Bangladesh as part of the ongoing initiatives under the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 (MYMT 2026), which was officially launched in July 2025. Guided by its “Healing Meets Hospitality” positioning, Malaysia Healthcare brings together internationally accredited hospitals, specialised medical expertise and patient-centred care to offer Bangladeshi patients a trusted destination for quality treatment abroad.

As part of these efforts, Malaysia Healthcare will bring its healthcare ecosystem closer to Dhaka through Malaysia Healthcare Week in Dhaka, a series of engagements designed to connect Bangladeshi healthcare facilitators, travel partners and prospective patients directly with Malaysia’s leading medical institutions. The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration, build referral networks and enhance awareness of Malaysia as a trusted medical travel destination. Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry continues to demonstrate strong growth and international confidence. In 2025, the sector generated RM3.34 billion in healthcare travel revenue and welcomed 1.84 million healthcare travellers, reflecting Malaysia’s strong reputation as a leading medical travel destination in the region. This growth underscores the country’s ability to deliver high-quality care supported by internationally accredited hospitals, advanced medical technologies and a patient-centred healthcare ecosystem.

Hence, Malaysia Healthcare’s engagement in Dhaka seeks to further strengthen ties with Bangladesh’s growing medical travel ecosystem. By connecting local healthcare facilitators and industry partners with Malaysian hospitals, the initiative aims to expand referral networks and increase access for Bangladeshi patients seeking trusted healthcare options abroad. Mr. Suriaghandi Suppiah, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council, said Malaysia is committed to strengthening healthcare collaboration with Bangladesh as demand for quality medical care abroad continues to grow.

“Bangladesh remains an important market for Malaysia Healthcare, and we are seeing growing interest from Bangladeshi patients seeking trusted and high-quality treatment overseas. We also congratulate Bangladesh on the formation of its new government and look forward to strengthening Malaysia–Bangladesh relations under the new Prime Minister’s leadership. Healthcare and medical tourism present strong opportunities for collaboration between our two countries. Through initiatives such as Malaysia Healthcare Week in Dhaka, we aim to bring Malaysia’s healthcare ecosystem closer to local partners and patients, strengthen referral networks, and showcase Malaysia’s medical expertise and patient-centred care. As part of the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 initiatives, Malaysia continues to expand healthcare collaboration across the region while ensuring patients have access to reliable, high-quality and compassionate care,” added Suriaghandi.

Demand for overseas medical care among Bangladeshi patients remains strong, driven by the need for specialised procedures, advanced medical technologies and faster access to treatment. Complex areas such as cardiology, oncology, organ transplantation, and advanced surgeries continue to drive outbound medical travel, with patients increasingly comparing regional healthcare destinations, including Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. Within this competitive landscape, Malaysia offers a compelling value proposition that combines internationally trained specialists, modern healthcare infrastructure and competitive treatment costs. Strong air connectivity between Dhaka and Kuala Lumpur, supported by multiple daily flights, further enhances Malaysia’s accessibility for Bangladeshi patients and their families seeking reliable healthcare abroad.

As Malaysia drives the momentum of the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 (MYMT 2026), initiatives such as Malaysia Healthcare Week in Dhaka reflect the nation’s commitment to bringing the spirit of “Healing Meets Hospitality” to patients and partners across the region. By combining high-quality medical care with Malaysia’s renowned warmth, compassion and cultural understanding, Malaysia Healthcare continues to strengthen cross-border healthcare collaboration while building enduring partnerships that expand patient access to trusted treatment and elevate healthcare standards across the region.

About Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council

Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), established in 2009 under the purview of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, is entrusted with developing and nurturing the “Malaysia Healthcare” brand. MHTC enhances, coordinates, and promotes Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry by fostering industry collaborations and building valuable public-private partnerships both domestically and internationally. With 80 member hospitals nationwide, MHTC continues to elevate the healthcare travel ecosystem through strong branding, seamless patient experiences, and strategic market initiatives. In line with these efforts, MHTC is spearheading the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, the nation’s first dedicated year to celebrate and advance healthcare travel. MYMT 2026 serves as a milestone initiative to showcase Malaysia’s world-class healthcare offerings, strengthen its position as the premier global healthcare destination, and highlight the industry’s significant contribution to the national economy.

More information can be found at https://malaysiahealthcare.org/. 

SOURCE: Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:  
Name: Mohamad Shahizam Fauzi                                                    
Head, Communications
Tel: +603 8776 6168                     
Email: shahizam.f@mhtc.org.my
 
Name: Muhammad Rasydan Ma’at                                       
Asst. Manager, Communications
Tel: +603 8776 6168         
Email: rasydan.m@mhtc.org.my 

–BERNAMA

WASHINGTON, March 11 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Egg Medical, a leader in enhanced radiation protection devices (ERPD), today announced the results of a Late-Breaking Trial presented at the Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT) 2026 conference. The study, presented by Santiago Garcia, MD, of The Christ Hospital, confirms that the addition of the EggNest™ system reduces levels of scatter radiation to all members of the interventional team to the extent that users could do procedures safely without the use of lead aprons or wear ultralight aprons.

“For decades, the interventional community has accepted a trade-off: protect your long-term health from the effects of radiation exposure by wearing heavy lead aprons at the cost of damaging your back and joints,” said Santiago Garcia, MD, the study’s lead presenter. “This data proves that we no longer must choose. By using the EggNest system, we can provide the entire team with protection that is superior to the status quo, by either going apron-free, or while wearing aprons that feel like a light vest. This is about ensuring that the next generation can have healthy careers without the physical toll.” 

The Key Study Findings:

• Annualized collar dose (in mrem) over lead aprons is 25.5 for the primary operator, 9.8 for assistant, and 10.2 for the nurse. When combined with ultralight aprons, total annualized body doses dropped to 1.41 for primary operator, 2.1 for assistant and 1.0 for the nurse.
• At these levels, a clinician would have to work for an entire career to receive the same radiation dose they currently receive in just one year under the standard of care.
• The study confirmed that whether clinicians choose to go apron-free, or wear aprons that are 55% lighter than standard lead, the entire team remained below traditional exposure levels using traditional methods.

Modern labs are not one-size-fits-all. Under the banner of “Protection Is Personal,” the company is championing a responsible approach that allows clinicians to choose whether they want to go apron free.

“Our goal is to give clinicians a choice—but one backed by rigorous, published data,” said Gavin Philipps, Chief Commercial Officer. “Choice isn’t a weakness; it’s how responsible safety programs operate. By providing personalized data through live dosimetry, the EggNest supports apron-free or ultralight apron workflows where approved, rather than forcing a specific behavior.”

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at 
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/548c258c-72cd-4a18-a8cb-e5066a8688cc

Contact:
Susan Storm
sstorm@eggmedical.com

SOURCE: Egg Medical, Inc.

–BERNAMA

Positioning Subang Jaya Medical Centre Among the World’s Leading Hospitals and Strengthening Malaysia’s Standing as a Trusted Healthcare Destination
 
SUBANG JAYA, March 10 (Bernama) — Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) has been named among the Top 250 hospitals globally and top 10 regionally in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2026, placing it among a select group of leading hospitals worldwide. The recognition highlights SJMC’s commitment to international standards of clinical care and patient outcomes, further strengthening its position as one of Malaysia’s Top 3 private hospitals for three consecutive years.
 
Bryan Lin, Chief Executive Officer of SJMC and Regional Chief Executive Officer of Asia OneHealthcare, said the achievement reflects the collective effort of its clinical and operational teams. “Being named among Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals Top 250 is a proud moment for all of us at SJMC. It reflects the trust our patients place in us and the dedication of our doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to deliver world-class expertise every day.”
 
“This recognition is not about a single milestone. It represents years of building strong clinical foundations, investing in advanced technology, and nurturing a culture where patients remain at the heart of every decision,” he added.
 
The annual ranking by Newsweek, conducted in collaboration with global data research firm Statista, evaluates more than 2,500 hospitals across 32 countries. The assessment is based on recommendations from medical experts worldwide, patient experience data, hospital quality metrics, and Statista’s Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) assessment.
 
SJMC’s inclusion in the 2026 Top 250 builds on a series of international accolades in recent years, reflecting consistent performance across specialties and service quality. The hospital has been listed among Newsweek’s Asia’s Top Private Hospitals and ranked Top 1 in Asia for Hip Surgery and Replacement for two consecutive years. It also retained its position as Malaysia’s most listed hospital in Newsweek’s Asia Pacific 2025 rankings.
 
These global recognitions follow SJMC’s endorsement as one of only four Flagship Medical Tourism Hospitals 2025 by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, highlighting the hospital’s growing role in representing Malaysia in regional and international healthcare. In line with the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026, SJMC continues to contribute to the country’s reputation as a preferred destination for high quality medical treatment and recovery. The hospital receives patients from across Asia Pacific and beyond, supported by its multidisciplinary expertise and comprehensive care.
 
Complementing these achievements, SJMC continues to uphold rigorous quality and safety standards. It is the first hospital in Asia Pacific to hold four Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) Centre of Excellence certifications in Oncology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology and Paediatric services, in addition to its three Joint Commission International (JCI) and six Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) accreditations.
 
Bryan Lin added, “As a Malaysian hospital recognised on a global platform, we see this as both an honour and a responsibility. We will continue to strengthen our specialised services, including building a highly experienced, multidisciplinary neurology and neurosurgery team to advance complex brain care and ensure patients receive treatment aligned with global benchmarks.”
 
With more than four decades of experience, SJMC remains committed to expanding medical excellence and advancing innovation to further elevate person-centred care, while supporting Malaysia’s healthcare goals.
 
For more information, visit https://subangjayamedicalcentre.com/.
 
ABOUT SUBANG JAYA MEDICAL CENTRE (SJMC)
SJMC is part of Asia OneHealthcare (A1Health), a leading healthcare provider in the region. With an impeccable reputation as one of Malaysia’s most trusted private medical centres, SJMC is best known for its clinical outcomes. The hospital is an award-winning 442-bed multi-disciplinary tertiary hospital providing comprehensive and complex care in all specialities.
 
It is one of the few internationally accredited Joint Commission International (JCI) hospitals in Malaysia and Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) accredited. SJMC’s laboratory is also an internationally recognised MS ISO 15189 accredited since 2009. In 2024, SJMC Oncology (Cancer), Cardiology, Gastroenterology and Paediatric Services are certified by Australian Council of Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) as a Centre of Excellence, making it the first in Asia-Pacific.
 
SJMC is recognised as a finalist for the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Programme 2023 – 2025 by Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) to establish Malaysia as a globally renowned icon for healthcare travel, delivering exceptional end-to-end patient experiences anchored on medical excellence, service excellence, and international branding. It receives both local patients across Malaysia and international patients across the Asia Pacific with over 47,000 admissions and almost half a million outpatient visits annually.
 
SOURCE: SUBANG JAYA MEDICAL CENTRE (SJMC)
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: 
Impact Communications (M) Sdn Bhd
Name: Harmini Nair
Tel: +6016-253 6206
Email: harmini@impactcommunications.com.my

Name: Teereth Kaur
Tel: +6019-956 8440
Email: teereth@impactcommunications.com.my
 
–BERNAMA