KUALA LUMPUR: Island Hospital Penang secured the prestigious Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) title, leading a triumphant haul of three awards at the recent Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) ceremony.
Island Hospital was recognised as the industry leader after a stringent, year-long evaluation process conducted by the MHTC. The assessment, which MHTC characterised as rigorous, independently validated and benchmarked against global standards, saw the hospital surpass other strong contenders, including Subang Jaya Medical Centre, the National Heart Institute and Mahkota Medical Centre. In addition to the top honour, Island Hospital was also awarded for its growth in tourism revenue and for advancements in digital innovation within patient services.
MHTC also honoured other finalists with special recognition awards: Mahkota Medical Centre received the Strategic Industry Partnership Leader award while Subang Jaya Medical Centre was celebrated for Brand Distinction Excellence and the National Heart Institute for Medical Excellence and Medical Technology Distinction.
Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad, who officiated the event, emphasised that the FMTH initiative highlights Malaysia’s ambition to be a global medical tourism leader by distinguishing private hospitals that excel in clinical results, patient safety and experience, and international branding.
MHTC chief executive officer Suriaghandi Suppiah stated that the FMTH program has significantly enhanced Malaysia's market competitiveness. He noted that the four finalists collectively demonstrated impressive performance, recording a 75% increase in healthcare travel revenue between October 2024 and September 2025. This growth follows RM1.4 billion in investments since 2019, leading to the achievement of 11 Centres of Excellence certifications and the publication of over 200 peer-reviewed papers.
Setting new targets
Data released at the event confirmed the sector’s strong trajectory. Malaysia welcomed 1.6 million healthcare travellers in 2024, generating RM2.72bil in revenue—a 21% year-over-year increase.
"These results confirm that Malaysia’s private healthcare providers are not just improving—they are accelerating their growth," said Suriaghandi. He further added that this industry expansion is essential for creating jobs, attracting foreign investment, and simultaneously elevating clinical standards for all Malaysians.
Looking ahead, Dzulkefly announced the country’s revenue target for the current year is set at RM3bil from 2.5 million healthcare travellers. He affirmed that the sector's continued expansion will be crucial in supporting the upcoming Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 campaign, intended to solidify the nation's reputation as a preferred choice for international patients.
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