While its primary commitment is to the local community, Columbia Asia Hospital Batu Kawan is also laying the foundation to participate in the medical tourism landscape. — Photos by ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star.
“OUR goal is more than medical care; it is about connection and trust.”
With those words, Columbia Asia Hospital Batu Kawan’s chief executive officer Mohd Shafee Awang summed up the philosophy behind the group’s decision to open its 13th hospital in the fast-growing township of Batu Kawan.
Walking through its doors, that vision is immediately apparent—the hospital isn’t designed merely as a place to treat ailments, but as a welcoming space where patients and families feel reassured the moment they step inside.
From its spacious atrium bathed in natural light, to pastel-coloured seating areas in calming hues of soft blue, green and beige, every detail has been carefully thought out to put visitors at ease.
For first-time patients, accessibility begins at the entrance itself. Drop-off points make arrivals hassle-free, while ample parking bays and clear signages guide visitors confidently through the premises.
Mohd Shafee said their goal is for the hospital to be a trusted presence for families, professionals, and surrounding industries.
Digital directories and colour-coded zones further ensure that no one feels lost.
To cater to a growing number of foreign patients, particularly from China, the hospital has also hired front office staff fluent in Mandarin.
The hospital officially opened its first phase on July 8, a milestone that strengthened Columbia Asia’s footprint as one of the leading private healthcare providers in Malaysia.
“This also marks a new chapter for accessible, high-quality medical care in northern Malaysia.
“When we saw Batu Kawan’s rapid growth, we recognised the opportunity to provide the community with quality healthcare close to home,” said Mohd Shafee.
The statistics tell the story—Batu Kawan’s current population of 165,000 is expected to rise to 250,000 by 2030.
Adjacent to the township lies the bustling Batu Kawan Industrial Park (BKIP), home to over 160 companies and a workforce of 15,000.
With nearby townships like Perai, Bukit Tambun, Nibong Tebal, Kulim, Bandar Baharu and Parit Buntar within easy reach, the hospital is strategically positioned to serve not just Batu Kawan but the wider northern region.
Located in Bandar Cassia, Penang’s third satellite town after Bayan Baru and Seberang Jaya, the hospital fills a critical gap: there is no other private hospital within a 10km radius.
“We want this hospital to be more than bricks and mortar.
“It should become a trusted presence for families, professionals and industries nearby,” Mohd Shafee emphasised.
The hospital is an imposing six-storey building with eight levels of parking, spread over 431,000sq ft.
In its first phase, it offers 145 beds, with future expansion planned for 213 beds. Currently, 14 clinics are operational; Phase Two will add another 17, bringing the total to 31.
At present, 12 resident doctors and a visiting consultant provide expertise across a wide spectrum of specialties: anesthesiology, cardiology, general surgery, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedics (including trauma care), paediatrics and radiology.
The list of facilities includes a 24-hour Accident & Emergency unit, a cardiac catheterisation lab, five operating theatres, a health screening unit, advanced imaging services including MRI, CT scan, mammography, ultrasound and X-ray, a pharmacy,clinical laboratory, physiotherapy, ICU/HDU, occupational health services and even Café Columbia for patients and visitors.
Lavinya: Working with supportive teammates who are also friends creates a positive environment, where caring for patients feels like a shared mission.
Tech at the forefront
Technology plays a pivotal role too. The hospital uses an Electronic Health Information System, allowing healthcare providers real-time access to patient information for faster, better-informed decisions.
While its immediate priority is to serve the local community, Columbia Asia Hospital Batu Kawan is also positioning itself as a future player in medical tourism.
“Being just a 40-minute drive from Penang International Airport via the Second Penang Bridge gives us excellent accessibility for international patients,” said Mohd Shafee.
With international-standard facilities and comprehensive specialties under one roof, the hospital is already seeing a steady trickle of foreign patients.
“About 10% of our patients are expatriates working here and their families,” he noted.
Rather than seeing competition as a challenge, Mohd Shafee views it as an opportunity.
“Our connectivity through the Second Penang Bridge positions us well to welcome more international patients in the future.”
For Yeap, the greatest comfort for patients comes when nurses see them not as cases, but as individuals with their own stories, needs and dignity.
People at its core
Beyond the infrastructure and technology, Columbia Asia Hospital Batu Kawan’s real strength lies in its people. To attract and retain top medical talent, the hospital emphasises a supportive and collaborative working culture.
Chief of medical services and consultant paediatrician Dr Lavinya Gogulanathan described it this way: “We have a good working environment with supportive teams who are also friends, making collaboration easy and effective. Sharing the same goal of providing the best care and ensuring positive outcomes keeps us united in purpose.
“The hospital also allows each specialist to grow in their field while supporting the educational development of one another.”
Chief of nursing services Amanda Yeap echoed that sentiment, highlighting the role of nurses as the hospital’s backbone.
“Continuous training ensures our nurses remain adaptable and progressive. We have mentor-mentee programmes because we see our nurses as our greatest strength.”
For her, nursing is more than just clinical skills—it is about human connection.
“The greatest comfort for patients comes when nurses see them not just as cases, but as individuals with their own stories, needs and dignity.
“At Columbia Asia Hospital Batu Kawan, we want our nurses to be seen as part of the community, not apart from it,” she shared.
The hospital complements its innovations with ongoing nurse training, helping them stay adaptable and progressive in patient care.
Yeap added that the commitment extends beyond hospital walls. “Nurses and staff actively engage in community outreach programmes, from health screenings to CPR awareness sessions, and even festive celebrations like Merdeka events.
“These activities reflect the hospital’s belief that healthcare is not confined to treatment rooms but is part of everyday life in the community,” she said.
With its modern design, comprehensive services and people-first approach, Columbia Asia Hospital Batu Kawan is poised to become more than just another healthcare facility. It represents a new chapter in private healthcare for northern Malaysia—one that blends accessibility, expertise and community connection.
As Mohd Shafee put it, “We hope this hospital is more than a building. We want it to be a place where people feel cared for, respected and connected.”
And for the growing township of Batu Kawan and its neighbours, that vision is fast becoming a reality.
