GEORGE TOWN (March 22): Penang's medical tourism sector is set to receive a boost as a potential investor plans to invest in a new private hospital here.
State Domestic and International Trade, Entrepreneur Development and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain said it was still too premature to make any announcement on the investment but this multi-million-ringgit investment could have a positive impact on the industry.
"We are looking at a new cancer (treatment) hospital but we are still at the early stage of discussion. We will make the announcement once everything is finalised," he told reporters after attending the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) networking session here today.
Abdul Halim declined to reveal further details including the amount of investment.
He explained that most private hospitals in Penang had reached maximum capacity, which reflected the booming medical tourism here.
"Most of the hospitals in Penang are either undergoing expansion or are planning to expand in order to cope with the influx of patients, especially from Indonesia, with daily arrivals that could reach 1,300 people," he said.
Meanwhile, Abdul Halim, who is also the State Assemblyman for Batu Maung, said the State was still waiting for the feasible study report to assess the necessity for the construction of the proposed RM1.6 billion Kulim International Airport.
"We will gather the information from the industry players and wait for the study to be conducted on the project before making any further comment on the plan," he said.
Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali announced earlier this week that the Federal Government had approved the construction of the Kulim International Airport in Kedah, which would be fully funded by the private sector.
The Penang International Airport is a mere 40 minutes away from the proposed airport.
Source: The Edge Markets
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Muhammad Rasydan Ma’at
Asst. Manager, Communications
+603 8776 6168
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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://www.mhtc.org.my/.
