First healthcare township in South-East Asia

(From left) Norhaslina, Tiew, Dr Zaliha, Lee, Wan Zamri, Lim and Chua at the launch of KL Wellness City.

THE first purpose-built township project in South-East Asia to cultivate a lifestyle fully integrated with healthcare and wellness, was launched at the KL Wellness City (KLWC) Gallery in Bukit Jalil by Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

With a gross development value of RM11bil and spanning over 10.72ha, the development combines world-class medical and wellness living.

The project features a well-rounded ecosystem – Nobel Healthcare Park, KL International Hospital (KLIH), innovation laboratories, clinical R&D facilities, healthcare company office towers, retirement resort, Healthcare Hub, wellness-centric serviced apartments and a fitness-oriented Central Park.

“In full support of Malaysia’s national plan to be recognised as one of the best places for medical tourism, KL Wellness City is designed to provide and prioritise health and well-being as the heart of its development, through its vision of a wellness hub centred around its township, which encompasses all aspects of medical care, health, wellness, fitness and business. It is complete with residential, retail and commercial offerings,” said KLWC managing director Datuk Dr Colin Lee.

KLWC will serve as the ultimate one-stop oasis for the body and mind for both domestic and international travellers.

Lee said the KLWC project was also an initiative that was built with an ageing nation in mind.

Malaysia has an ageing population growing at a faster- than-expected rate, where more than 15% of its population will be above the age of 65 by 2050.

“The KL Wellness City master plan incorporates thousands of facilities and residences.

“This township is a significant step towards embracing an ageing nation, with facilities for comprehensive healthcare dedicated to well-being through elderly care, retirement resorts as well as independent and assisted living,” said Lee.

KLIH, approved as a tertiary hospital with 624 beds and scalable to 1,000-bed capacity, will be on the same ranks as renowned institutions like Thailand’s Bumrungrad International Hospital and Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Novena.

Some of the medical equipment and facilities at KLIH will be among the first in the South-East Asian region, offering a fully comprehensive and integrated ecosystem of healthcare services including wellness and fitness facilities across diverse areas among which are cardiology, spine health, neuro health, sports medicine, cosmetic surgery and fertility, with R&D laboratories and facilities for clinical studies.

With the support of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida), the new private hospital will be built within the mixed development of KLWC with proposed investment of RM860mil.

The project, set to be operational in the first half of 2026, will create over 3,000 job opportunities for medical professionals including specialists, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and technicians.

“The commitment of KLWC to raising the bar for healthy living and well-being resonates with Health Ministry’s whole-of-system approach,” said Dr Zaliha.

“It aligns perfectly with our national vision and the direction set forth in the 12th Malaysia Plan.

“I have faith that KLIH will attract multidisciplinary specialists to practise in a single hospital location, shortening turnaround time for both local and foreign patients, optimising patient care and experience.

“We foresee KLIH filling in that gap for Malaysians, and we stand in support of KLWC resonating with its purpose.

“The ministry applauds the efforts of the tertiary hospital to maintain our leading position in this region and globally,” said the minister.

Lee also expressed his gratitude to the Malaysian government for its support.

Also present at the launch were Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council vice-president (facilitation) Norhaslina Othman, KLWC executive director (branding, sales, marketing) Datuk Seri Vincent Tiew, KLWC director (project development) Wan Zamri Wan Hassan, Mida deputy chief executive officer Lim Bee Vian and KLWC non-executive director (retail, consumerism, construction) Datuk Seri Garry Chua.