Three New Private Hospitals to Boost Kuching’s Healthcare Sector

Key Takeaways:

• Three new private hospitals are planned for Kuching, each with 300 beds.
• The hospitals will be located in The Northbank (Tabuan Jaya), Batu Lintang, and Petra Jaya.
• These facilities aim to enhance medical tourism by offering advanced healthcare services at competitive prices.
• Premier Abang Johari emphasized the importance of technology and collaboration with medical experts.
• A focus on cancer treatments has been highlighted for the hospital in The Northbank.

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Plans for a New Hospital in The Northbank

MALAYSIA: The Northbank area near Tabuan Jaya has been earmarked for the development of a new private hospital, according to an announcement by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg (pictured left). This facility is one of three private hospitals being planned for Kuching, as reported on The Borneo Post.

“This new hospital will be located in The Northbank with 300 beds, and together with two other upcoming private hospitals, we are expecting these projects to be completed in three years’ time,” Abang Johari stated during a press conference after officiating a dental clinic in Jalan Bayor Bukit.

The Premier highlighted that the hospital in The Northbank will specialize in cancer treatments, underscoring the growing need for advanced medical care in the region.

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Leveraging Technology for Medical Tourism

Abang Johari stressed the importance of equipping these new hospitals with state-of-the-art technology to position Kuching as a hub for medical tourism. “What we can do is to upgrade our service industries and healthcare to provide a comprehensive package that also includes dentistry and other medical aspects,” he remarked.

He added, “This would allow us to become a hub for medical services where we can work together with the people who are experienced or expertise in the medical field.”

The Premier also pointed out that Sarawak’s lower costs compared to neighboring Singapore make it an attractive destination for medical tourists. “As you know, the cost in Singapore is quite high, and with the hospitals in Kuching, we are there to provide an alternative for people to seek treatment at an affordable price but with the same service,” he explained.

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Additional Hospitals in Batu Lintang and Petra Jaya

In addition to the hospital in The Northbank, another 300-bed facility is set to be constructed in Batu Lintang under IHH Healthcare from Singapore. Premier Abang Johari is scheduled to launch the groundbreaking ceremony for this project tomorrow.

“We also have another 300-bed hospital coming up in Petra Jaya, and these three new hospitals will all be run by the private sector,” he noted.

These developments align with Abang Johari’s vision of transforming Sarawak into a regional healthcare destination. He reiterated this during his speech at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Convention, where he said, “The fact that investors are building more hospitals here shows Sarawak’s potential as a healthcare hub. It is not that Sarawakians are falling sick more often – rather, people from outside are coming here for treatment because our costs are lower compared to Singapore.”

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Strategic Advantages for Medical Tourism

The Premier further elaborated on the logistical advantages of Kuching as a medical hub. “The doctors from Singapore can also fly down to Kuching and leave for Singapore by the end of the day,” he said.

To support this vision, Abang Johari expressed his commitment to establishing AirBorneo, a regional airline that could facilitate easier travel for medical tourists. “With the right package and right price, I can foresee a lot of medical tourists converging in Sarawak,” he added.

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Conclusion

The announcement of three new private hospitals in Kuching marks a significant step toward enhancing the city’s healthcare infrastructure. With a focus on affordability, advanced technology, and specialized treatments, these facilities are poised to attract both local patients and international medical tourists. As Sarawak positions itself as a healthcare hub, the developments reflect the region’s growing appeal in the medical tourism industry.