From left: Finalists with Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, Brand Ambassador, Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, Dato’ Sri Suriani binti Dato’ Ahmad, Secretary General, Ministry of Health, Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly bin Ahmad, Minister of Health and Chairman of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), Yang Berusaha En. Suriaghandi Suppiah, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC)
The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) reached a defining moment in the nation’s medical tourism journey with the announcement of the winner of the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) Program. This initiative, designed to solidify Malaysia’s standing as a premier global destination for medical travel, culminated in a high-profile award ceremony held at the M Resort & Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
The event was officiated by Health Minister YB Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly bin Ahmad, who presented the top honors alongside MHTC CEO Suriaghandi Suppiah and Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, the Brand Ambassador for Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026. During his opening address, the Health Minister highlighted the strategic importance of the sector to the nation’s future.
Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly bin Ahmad, Minister of Health and Chairman of Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC).
“The medical tourism sector remains a vital pillar of Malaysia’s long-term economic resilience and a key contributor to our nation’s global reputation for quality and care. Through the FMTH initiative, we are strengthening the country’s position as a preferred destination for world-class 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,” the Minister stated.
Island Hospital in Penang emerged as the overall winner, securing the prestigious title of Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital 2025. The institution was recognized for its exceptional performance in medical service excellence and international branding. While Island Hospital took the top prize, three other finalists—Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), Mahkota Medical Centre in Melaka, and Subang Jaya Medical Centre—were also celebrated for their commitment to elevating national benchmarks in healthcare delivery.
Suriaghandi Suppiah reflected on the momentum gained through this multi-year effort, noting that the program drives a national aspiration aligned with a resilient and inclusive economy.
Yang Berusaha Suriaghandi Suppiah, CEO of MHTC.
“The Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital initiative represents a bold step by MHTC towards positioning Malaysia as a trusted and competitive destination for world-class healthcare. Today, we recognise one winner and four hospitals receiving special accolades for excellence in specific domains. This is not merely about recognising achievement; this initiative drives a national aspiration, one that aligns with our long-term vision for a stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive economy,” Suppiah explained.
The recognition extended beyond the main title, with several distinguished accolades awarded to the finalists for their specific strengths. Island Hospital earned additional honors for Excellence in Healthcare Tourism Revenue Growth and Digital Innovation in Patient Service Delivery. Institut Jantung Negara was recognized for Medical Excellence and Medical Technology Distinction, while Mahkota Medical Centre was named the Strategic Industry Partnership Leader. Subang Jaya Medical Centre received the award for Brand Distinction Excellence.
This program is the result of a disciplined, multi-phase transformation effort that began in 2021. Over the last several years, the finalists underwent rigorous evaluations by global authorities, including Joint Commission International (JCI) and IQVIA Consulting Group APAC. These reviews focused on infrastructure development and patient-centered care, ensuring that the winner can serve as a national ambassador hospital where medical excellence and authentic hospitality converge.
Looking toward the future, the FMTH Program serves as the foundation for the upcoming Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026. MHTC is shifting toward a more holistic approach, moving beyond traditional treatments to include wellness, preventive care, and traditional medicine.
“With a strong global brand, sustained programme enablers, and internationally benchmarked hospitals, we are strategically positioned to welcome greater numbers of healthcare travellers seeking trusted, high-quality, patient-centred care. Central to this effort is the introduction of holistic and integrative healthcare packages that expand beyond treatment-based travel to include wellness, preventive care, and Traditional & Complementary Medicine, offering international patients fully curated medical-and-wellness journeys,” Suppiah noted.
He further added, “Complementing this is a drive to deliver a seamless end-to-end patient experience, integrating pre-arrival coordination, concierge support, recovery-friendly hospitality, and curated tourism offerings to ensure a smooth and reassuring travel-to-treatment pathway.”
The success of these initiatives is reflected in the industry’s strong performance data. In 2024, Malaysia welcomed 1.6 million healthcare travelers, generating RM2.72 billion in revenue. While Southeast Asian countries remain the largest contributors due to geographical and cultural ties, the FMTH program is expected to increase Malaysia’s visibility in broader markets across the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. As 2026 approaches, the nation is strategically positioned to welcome a new wave of international patients seeking trusted, high-value care.
For more information, visit https://www.mhtc.org.my/.
