Iskandar Malaysia to have at least 25 hospitals

NUSAJAYA: More foreigners, especially from Singapore, are expected to come to Iskandar Malaysia to seek medical treatment with the setting-up of at least 25 hospitals, including private specialists centres by 2016.

One of the health industry members involved – IHH Healthcare Bhd – has invested over RM400mil for the first phase of its Gleneagles Medini Hospital here.

Its CEO and managing director Dr Tan See Leng said that the 300-bed hospital, which is set to open its doors to the public by June next year, would have an initial capacity of 148 beds

“With the setting up of the hospital right at the heart of the Iskandar region here, we hope to attract foreigners, especially Singaporeans to seek medical treatment at our hospital.

“The rates will be relatively cheaper for Singaporeans to get medical treatment in Johor Baru compared to what they will be paying in the republic,” he said yesterday after the topping-up ceremony of the construction of the first phase of the hospital building.

It was also attended by Johor Health and Environment committee chairman Datuk Ayub Rahmat.

Dr Tan said other than Singaporeans, the company was also targeting middle-class Indonesians visitors.

“GMH will offer a comprehensive range of medical facilities, including cardiology, ear, nose and throat, obstetrics and gynaecology, oncology, ophthalmology and orthopaedics.

“A total of 138 medical suites will be leased for specialists who wish to set up their own clinics and practices within the hospital premises,” he added.

Dr Tan, who is also the group CEO and MD of Parkway Pantai Ltd, IHH’s largest operating subsidiary, added that the company was also set to open a Gleneagles hospital in Kota Kinabalu next year.

Meanwhile, Ayub said that the Johor government hoped that the new Gleneagles Medini hospital would help boost the state’s medical tourism activites.

“The Iskandar region will see development of some 25 government and private hospitals by 2016, in line with our focus to build a medical hub within the region here.

“Plans to construct two more government hospital, namely Hospital Sultanah Aminah II and Hospital Pasir Gudang, are also on track,” he added.