GEORGE TOWN, July 27 – Penang’s Island Hospital is strategically positioned to benefit from two major national campaigns Visit Malaysia 2026 and Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 next year.
Chief executive officer Lim Kooi Ling said the twin initiatives are expected to drive a surge in both leisure and healthcare travellers, with Penang emerging as a key destination due to its reputation for world-class treatment paired with cultural and culinary charm.
Lim said the hospital works closely with the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) to enhance support systems for international patients, including visa facilitation and resource development.
“Medical tourism is a very exciting industry and for us, it is something we have been working on for more than 25 years.
“Island Hospital is already one of Malaysia’s top medical tourism players, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of the country’s total healthcare travellers,” she told Bernama.
Lim said the hospital recorded over 230,000 patients last year and it expects the number to reach 250,000 this year, with half of its patients coming from Indonesia.
She said the hospital’s success in attracting foreign patients, especially from Indonesia, began in the late 1990s when Penang’s private healthcare sector started.
Lim attributed this growth to cultural familiarity, affordable treatment options and the hospital’s targeted effort to develop this sector over the years.
“Our doctors and staff can speak Indonesian. We offer airport transfers, hotel bookings, and even optional tour packages depending on the patient’s familiarity with Penang.
“Other than that, we also accommodate our international patients with same-day results when they do health screenings because we understand their time constraints,” she said.
Island Hospital is currently a 600-bed facility with a 60 per cent occupancy rate. She said it is ready to scale up further, depending on demand, as the hospital owns an adjacent land which has been earmarked for future development.
