By Jessica Jaganathan

MORE Singaporeans are heading across the Causeway for medical treatment and one Singapore-owned hospital in Johor has seen its patient numbers jump fivefold.

When the 218-bed Regency Specialist Hospital opened its doors late last year, it saw just 20 patients from Singapore. Last month, there were 100.

While this is still only about 1 per cent of its overall patient load, the hospital operator expects the number to surge when Singaporeans can start to use their Medisave for medical treatments overseas. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced in March that the use of Medisave will be allowed for people going overseas for hospitalisation or day surgery. But it has to be done through a Medisave-accredited institution here.

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