Malaysia Builds New Hospital in Kuching, Ready to Become a New Choice for Indonesian Patients

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - Malaysia continues to strengthen its position as one of the medical tourism destinations in Southeast Asia, as the number of patients from both within and outside the country seeking specialist health services increases.

The growth is also seen in Sarawak, especially Kuching, which has recorded an increase in the number of healthcare travellers in recent years. Seeing the opportunity, regional healthcare group HMI Medical officially started the construction of Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching, a 300-bed tertiary private hospital which is targeted to operate in 2029 with an initial investment of more than RM400 million.

The construction of the hospital was marked by the groundbreaking ceremony which was inaugurated by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching will be HMI Medical's first private hospital in Sarawak and is designed as a SMART Tertiary Hospital that will integrate advanced medical technology, interconnected digital systems, and intelligent clinical workflows to deliver specialist healthcare services that are ready to meet future needs, patient-centric, and aligned with internationally accredited standards.

Located in the Northbank area of Kuching, the hospital will be built in two phases. The initial phase includes an investment of more than RM400 million and will provide various specialist services, including a cancer center, smart-wards, state-of-the-art operating rooms, an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), diagnostic and treatment facilities, and other multidisciplinary services. The next phase will add capacity and a number of flagship service centers in accordance with the development of public health needs.

HMI Medical Group CEO, Chin Wei Jia, said the construction of the Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching was a response to the increasing need for health services in Sarawak which was driven by economic growth, population, connectivity, and investment in the region.

"As health needs become more complex, Sarawak needs greater capacity and stronger specialist capabilities. Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching is HMI Medical's response to this growth, by expanding access to quality health services and supporting community well-being in the long term," said Chin Wei Jia, in a statement, Friday, August 14.

Sarawak Medical Tourism Continues to Grow

HMI Medical's investment comes amid the growth of the Sarawak medical tourism sector. Based on public reports, the number of healthcare travelers who come to Sarawak increased from 64,393 people in 2023 to 76,796 people in 2024. This number then penetrated more than 104,000 patients in 2025, with Kuching being one of the main contributors.

This growth shows an increase in demand for tertiary and specialist health services in Sarawak. The presence of Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching is expected to expand the choice of health services for local communities as well as international patients who come to Sarawak for medical treatment.

To support international patient access, HMI Medical also has 12 representative offices in Indonesia. This network is part of HMI Medical's efforts to reach Indonesian patients who need health services in Malaysia.

Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching will utilize HMI Medical's 28 years of experience in the Malaysian healthcare sector, including experience from Regency Specialist Hospital in Johor Bahru and Mahkota Medical Centre in Melaka. Both hospitals are also Elite Members of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and have experience in serving both local and international patients.

Target to Create More than 1,000 Jobs

Apart from infrastructure investment, the construction of this hospital is also targeted to have an impact on the local economy and labor. Regency Specialist Hospital Kuching is projected to create more than 1,000 jobs, including medical, nursing, supporting health personnel, management, technical, and other support staff.

HMI Medical also places the development of human resources as an important part of this project. The programs prepared include scholarships, educational sponsorship, cross-training, clinical attachments, specialist development pathways, and advanced professional development that will involve educational institutions and university hospitals in Malaysia and abroad.