KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) — Island Hospital Penang has been awarded the inaugural Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) 2025 title, in recognition of its excellence in clinical services, international branding and patient-centred care.
The hospital was also honoured with the Digital Innovation in Patient Service Delivery award. The announcement was made today at the FMTH 2025 Awards Ceremony, officiated by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.
In his opening address, Dzulkefly said the FMTH initiative reflects Malaysia’s commitment to clinical excellence and high-quality service, reinforcing the country’s standing as a leading destination for medical treatment, wellness and recovery.
“This sector not only attracts quality investments and creates high-value job opportunities but also supports the growth of related industries such as pharmaceuticals, hospitality and technology,” he said.
Other FMTH finalists included Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), which earned the Excellence in Healthcare Tourism Revenue Growth award; Mahkota Medical Centre Melaka (Strategic Industry Partnership Leader); and Subang Jaya Medical Centre (Brand Distinction Excellence).
Also present at the ceremony were Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) chief executive officer Suriaghandi Suppiah and Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026 brand ambassador Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza.
In his remarks, Suriaghandi said that the FMTH initiative, introduced in 2019, with its assessment framework launched in 2021, was designed to enhance Malaysia’s competitiveness in the global healthcare market by elevating hospital standards to meet leading international benchmarks.
“Under this programme, hospitals are transformed into centres of excellence, distinguished by medical quality, service standards and international reputation.
“The aim is to build institutions that are not only globally competitive but also uphold national trust, professionalism and compassionate care,” he added.
According to MHTC, the FMTH awards strengthen Malaysia’s global healthcare brand through independent assessments, recognition mechanisms, and international benchmarking.
Together, these components build trust for healthcare travellers and distinguish Malaysian hospitals by their quality, service excellence and international brand strength.
The award-winning hospitals are expected to significantly boost Malaysia’s visibility in key global markets across ASEAN, Oceania, the Middle East, South Asia, East Asia, Europe, the United States, and Africa, where demand for high-quality, affordable medical care is rising.
— BERNAMA