Island Hospital has been named the winner of Malaysia’s first Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) programme, a recognition that highlights the hospital’s consistent standards in care, safety and patient experience for international patients.
The three-year FMTH programme, launched in 2022, was designed to identify hospitals that can anchor Malaysia’s medical tourism growth and represent the country on the global stage. Island Hospital was selected as the top performer among four finalists and was the only hospital from Penang. The official announcement was made today by Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health, Malaysia today at M Resort & Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
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The FMTH programme is led by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) under the Ministry of Health and supported by the Government of Malaysia. Independent experts, including IQVIA and Joint Commission International (JCI), carried out in-depth assessments covering clinical quality, patient safety, experience, innovation and operational performance. As a key initiative under the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint 2021-2025, the FMTH programme is part of the country’s push to further develop medical tourism and strengthen Malaysia’s position as a trusted healthcare travel destination.
Located in Penang, Island Hospital is a private specialist hospital that provides advanced care for complex medical and surgical needs. Patients have access to more than 120 specialist doctors across a wide range of disciplines, including cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology and neurology. The hospital serves both local and international patients and has built an ecosystem that supports medical travellers – from pre-arrival coordination to follow-up care.
Island Hospital’s focus on quality and patient safety is supported by accreditations from the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI) and the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH). The hospital also holds ACHSI Centres of Excellence recognition in Cancer Care, Cardiology and Gastroenterology. These recognitions reflect a strong framework for clinical governance, multidisciplinary teamwork and person-centred care, which formed part of the FMTH evaluation.
“We are humbled by this recognition of Island Hospital’s role in showcasing Malaysia Healthcare,” said Lim Kooi Ling, CEO of Island Hospital. “Since 2022, we have welcomed and treated about 700,000 international patients from more than 80 countries, including from over 100 cities in Indonesia. This steady return of international patients after the pandemic shows the continued trust placed in our teams, our partners and the Malaysian healthcare system.”
“Being part of IHH Healthcare Malaysia, one of the country’s leading private healthcare providers, allows us to draw on shared expertise, digital tools and clinical collaboration. Our focus remains clear, to provide safe, reliable and value-driven care, while making the overall experience smoother and more reassuring for patients and their families. As a flagship medical tourism hospital, we will continue to work closely with the Government and MHTC to strengthen Penang’s and Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for healthcare,” she added.
