Malaysia MRI Market Segmented By Field Strength (High-Field MRI Systems (1.5t MRI Systems, 3t MRI Systems), Low-To-Mid-Field MRI Systems (<1.5t), Others), By Type (Fixed, Mobile), By Architecture (Closed MRI Systems, Open MRI Systems), By Application (Brain and Neurological, Oncology, Spine and Musculoskeletal, Abdominal, Cardiac, Others), By End User (Hospitals, Imaging Centers, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Others), By Source (Import, Domestic), By Product (Refurbished, New), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

Malaysia MRI Market was valued at USD 28.14 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 42.29 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 7.03% during the forecast period. The MRI market in Malaysia is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by factors such as increasing healthcare spending and a growing aging population, hence augmenting the growth of Malaysia MRI market. One of the key drivers of the MRI market in Malaysia is the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. As the incidence of these diseases continues to rise, there is a growing demand for more accurate and timely diagnosis, which is driving the demand for MRI scans.

Moreover, the increasing initiatives and programs by government leads to the heavy demand of MRI for diagnosing which is expected to expand the Malaysia MRI Market. The National Cancer Control Plan for Malaysia, which put policies in place for cancer prevention, screening, early detection, treatment, and palliative care throughout the nation, will celebrate its twentieth anniversary in 2023. It started with the introduction of low-cost preventive measures to motivate people to alter their lifestyles and lower their risk of developing cancer. In addition, the MoH released a directive requiring health clinics to conduct colorectal, cervical, and breast cancer screenings.

This initiative increased access to cancer screening and facilitated earlier diagnosis and treatment, augmenting the growth of Malaysia MRI market. As per World Health Organization, 48,639 new cancer cases were reported in Malaysia, out of which 17.3% accounts for breast cancer and 13.6% for colorectum cancer. With the increasing demand for advanced medical technologies, such as MRI, the healthcare providers are expected to invest heavily in new and advanced imaging technologies to improve patient care, as a result, the Malaysia MRI market is expected to grow. According to the Malaysia Ministry of Health, in 2019, approximately 64% of deaths in Malaysia were attributed to chronic diseases, with cancer and cardiovascular diseases being the leading causes of death.

Key Market Drivers

Growing Prevalence of Chronic and Age-Related Diseases

Malaysia has seen a steady increase in chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and neurological disorders—all of which often require advanced imaging for accurate diagnosis. MRI, with its non-invasive nature and detailed imaging capability, has become a critical diagnostic tool. The Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) continues to push for enhanced access to diagnostic services under its National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases. With a rapidly aging population—projected by the Department of Statistics Malaysia to reach nearly 15% of the total population by 2030—the demand for MRI scans for age-related illnesses like dementia and spinal issues is rising. Additionally, early disease detection and intervention programs supported by government hospitals and private healthcare providers further boost MRI adoption. As diagnostic awareness spreads and patient outcomes improve with timely imaging, MRI demand is expected to grow substantially in both public and private healthcare sectors.

Expansion of Public and Private Healthcare Infrastructure

The Malaysian government’s continued investment in upgrading healthcare infrastructure has played a crucial role in expanding diagnostic capabilities across the country. MOH’s Hospital Redevelopment Program and initiatives under the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (2021–2025) include provisions for acquiring modern diagnostic equipment, including MRI scanners. Simultaneously, private hospitals—especially in urban hubs like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru—are aggressively investing in high-end MRI systems to cater to growing medical tourism and urban demand. The rising number of tertiary care facilities and diagnostic centers across Malaysia has improved access to MRI services, reducing wait times and expanding usage across various medical departments. The availability of MRI services in semi-urban and rural regions is also improving through mobile and satellite diagnostic centers, often supported by public-private partnerships. These collective developments are driving consistent market expansion by increasing both capacity and demand for MRI-based diagnostics.

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Key Market Challenges

High Equipment and Operational Costs

Despite demand, the high upfront and maintenance costs of MRI equipment remain a barrier, particularly for smaller hospitals and diagnostic clinics in Malaysia. A standard MRI machine can cost several million ringgit, with additional annual maintenance, service contracts, and staff training expenses. For public healthcare providers operating under tight budgets, the acquisition and upkeep of MRI machines can be challenging without centralized government support. Additionally, electricity consumption, cooling requirements, and space considerations further elevate the operational costs of MRI facilities. This cost challenge is particularly pronounced in semi-urban and rural areas, where return on investment is uncertain due to smaller patient volumes. Although MOH has rolled out various hospital upgrading programs, the funding often prioritizes basic medical services over high-end diagnostics, slowing MRI adoption. Addressing this will require continued public-private partnerships, potential leasing or shared-use models, and subsidies for rural healthcare providers.

Shortage of Skilled Radiologists and Technicians

Another critical challenge in Malaysia’s MRI market is the shortage of trained radiologists and MRI technicians. While the country has made progress in expanding diagnostic services, the human resources needed to operate and interpret MRI scans are still limited. According to reports by the Malaysian Medical Council and MOH, the number of radiologists per capita remains lower than the OECD average. Many rural and district hospitals either lack in-house radiologists or rely on teleradiology, which may lead to delays in diagnosis. The training pipeline for MRI technicians is also constrained, with only a few institutions offering specialized programs. This skills gap creates bottlenecks, limits the utilization of installed MRI systems, and hinders patient access, particularly in public hospitals, where radiology departments face high caseloads. The government has initiated upskilling efforts and is exploring AI-supported diagnostics to mitigate this issue, but the impact will take time to materialize.

Key Market Trends

Rising Adoption of AI-Integrated MRI Systems

A significant trend shaping the Malaysia MRI market is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into MRI systems. AI-enhanced imaging helps reduce scan times, improve image reconstruction quality, and assist radiologists with advanced analysis. Leading medical facilities in Malaysia are increasingly adopting MRI machines embedded with AI tools for enhanced efficiency and diagnostic accuracy. This trend aligns with the MOH's strategic direction to promote digital healthcare transformation. AI integration also reduces the burden on radiologists by automating repetitive tasks such as image segmentation and anomaly detection. Moreover, academic and medical research institutions are partnering with tech companies to develop localized AI applications tailored for Malaysian demographics. As AI in healthcare gains government support and favorable regulations, AI-enabled MRI systems are likely to become mainstream, particularly in high-volume diagnostic centers and teaching hospitals.

Growth in Medical Tourism and Expatriate Patient Demand

Malaysia continues to be a top destination in Southeast Asia for medical tourism, offering affordable and high-quality healthcare services. The MRI market is benefitting directly from this trend, as foreign patients increasingly seek diagnostic procedures as part of comprehensive treatment plans. According to the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), imaging services like MRI scans are often bundled with orthopedic, neurological, and cardiac treatments. Many private hospitals have begun tailoring their MRI services—including shorter wait times, multilingual support, and international accreditations—to cater to this growing clientele. The government supports this industry through promotional campaigns like “Malaysia Healthcare” and infrastructure investments under its medical tourism blueprint. Furthermore, Malaysia’s sizable expatriate community also contributes to increased MRI demand, especially through private insurance coverage. These external patient flows have helped fuel innovation, quality improvement, and expanded access in the domestic MRI market.

Segmental Insights

Architecture Insights

Based on Architecture, Closed MRI Systems hold the largest market share when categorized by architecture. These systems are traditionally preferred in clinical settings across the country due to their superior imaging capabilities, higher magnetic field strength, and ability to capture highly detailed scans, especially for complex diagnostic needs. Closed MRI systems typically operate at 1.5T or 3.0T, allowing for faster and more accurate detection of a wide range of conditions, including neurological disorders, musculoskeletal injuries, cardiovascular issues, and cancers. Hospitals and diagnostic centers, particularly in urban areas such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru, prioritize closed MRI systems because they are capable of meeting the high-volume diagnostic demands of both local patients and medical tourists. Furthermore, government hospitals and tertiary care institutions in West Malaysia often invest in these systems under public healthcare initiatives aimed at expanding advanced diagnostic services. For example, the Ministry of Health has been steadily upgrading public healthcare facilities with high-end imaging equipment to support early detection and timely intervention.

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Regional Insights

Based on the region, ​the West Malaysia region held the largest market share. This dominance is primarily driven by the higher concentration of healthcare infrastructure, urbanization, and economic activity in West Malaysia. Major urban centers such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, and Johor host a dense network of both public and private hospitals that are well-equipped with advanced imaging technologies, including MRI systems. These regions not only serve a larger local population but also attract international medical tourists seeking affordable and high-quality diagnostic services, further boosting demand for MRI procedures. Additionally, West Malaysia benefits from stronger healthcare funding and a more developed private healthcare sector, making it easier for hospitals and clinics to invest in newer MRI technologies. The availability of medical professionals, including radiologists and MRI technicians, is also higher in this region due to the presence of top medical universities and training institutions.  

Key Market Players

• Siemens Healthcare Sdn. Bhd.
• FUJIFILM Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
• Philips Malaysia Sdn Bhd
• GE HealthCare
• SIA ARBOR MEDICAL
• CANON MEDICAL SYSTEMS MALAYSIA SDN. BHD.
• Shimadzu Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
• Best Contact (M) Sdn Bhd.
• TransAid Solutions Sdn Bhd
• I-MEDIC IMAGING SDN. BHD

Report Scope:

In this report, the Malaysia MRI market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends, which have also been detailed below:

• Malaysia MRI Market, By Field Strength:
• High-Field MRI Systems (1.5t MRI Systems, 3t MRI Systems)
• Low-To-Mid-Field MRI Systems (<1.5t)
• Others
• Malaysia MRI Market, By Type:
• Fixed
• Mobile
• Malaysia MRI Market, By Architecture:
• Closed MRI Systems
• Open MRI Systems
• Malaysia MRI Market, By Application:
• Brain and Neurological
• Oncology
• Spine and Musculoskeletal
• Abdominal
• Cardiac
• Others
• Malaysia MRI Market, By End User:
• Hospitals
• Imaging Centers
• Ambulatory Surgical Centers
• Others
• Malaysia MRI Market, By Source:
• Import
• Domestic
• Malaysia MRI Market, By Product:
• Refurbished
• New
• Malaysia MRI Market, By Region:
• The East Malaysia
• The West Malaysia

Competitive landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies in Malaysia MRI market.

Available Customizations:

With the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company’s specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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