Island Hospital has been named the winner of Malaysia’s first Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) programme, a prestigious recognition that highlights the hospital’s consistent standards in care, safety, and patient experience for international patients.

Launched in 2022, the three-year FMTH programme was designed to identify hospitals capable of anchoring Malaysia’s medical tourism growth and representing the nation 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 by Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly.

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)—conducted comprehensive assessments covering clinical quality, patient safety, patient experience, innovation, and operational performance. As a key initiative under the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint 2021–2025, FMTH is part of Malaysia’s strategy to strengthen its position as a trusted global healthcare travel destination.

Located in Penang, Island Hospital is a leading private specialist hospital providing advanced care for complex medical and surgical conditions. Patients have access to more than 120 specialist doctors across multiple disciplines including cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, and neurology.

The hospital serves both local and international patients and has developed a comprehensive ecosystem that supports medical travellers—from pre-arrival coordination to follow-up care.

Island Hospital’s focus on quality and patient safety is backed 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 (CoE) recognitions in Cancer Care, Cardiology, and Gastroenterology. These reflect a strong foundation in clinical governance, multidisciplinary teamwork, and person-centred care—key components evaluated under the FMTH programme.

“We are humbled by this recognition of Island Hospital’s role in Malaysian medical tourism,” 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 visitors from over 100 cities in Indonesia. This steady return of international patients after the pandemic shows the level of 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.

Learn more about our international patient services:
👉https://islandhospital.com/international-patient-services/