WITH the demand for healthcare services on the rise in Penang, Island Hospital is continuing to provide comprehensive treatment for patients of all ages after the opening of its new expansion, called the Peel Wing on Oct 11 this year.
The opening of the new expansion marks another milestone in the Island Medical City Project.
Hospital chief executive officer Mark Wee said the new expansion is a key part of the Island Medical City project, which encompasses various future developments in the pipeline.
“In 2019, one in five Indonesian healthcare travellers to Malaysia were treated at Island Hospital.
“At the state-level, post-pandemic, the hospital has bounced back and now accounts for more than half of all healthcare travellers to Penang.
“This is an achievement recognised by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) in its shortlisting of Island Hospital as the only hospital in Penang in the Flagship Medical Tourism Programme.
“The programme has been the perfect step forward for the hospital as it aligns with its future plans, especially the Island Medical City Project.
“This is but the first step towards the future phases to build up to 1,000 beds, as well as a hotel to cater to healthcare travellers to Malaysia, particularly to Penang.
“We are raising our game from value for money to best in class. This is the future of healthcare.
“We have done this before, so let’s go to the next level now,” Wee said in his speech during the hospital’s new Peel Wing expansion opening ceremony in Pulau Tikus today.
Peel Wing is connected to the current hospital building, the Macalister Wing, via a 120-metre-long underpass walkway, the first of its kind in Penang.
With 14 operating theatres and an expanded capacity of 300 beds, the hospital is now the first 600-bed private hospital in Penang.
It is equipped with the latest infrastructure and talented healthcare professionals to provide a range of medical and surgical services to its patients.
Present to grace and officiate the ceremony was Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who in his speech said he was excited to see the growth of Island Hospital to its dream Island Medical City project.
“With the commitment to quality and healthcare excellence from hospitals like Island Hospital, Penang is now recognised as a leader in providing healthcare that is on par with the likes of regional players like the Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok and the Mount Elizabeth in Singapore.
“Penang does not only attract tourists with our warm hospitality and delectable selection of food, but more so now, with our quality healthcare services and expertise.
“Also, being one of the largest medical tourist hubs in Southeast Asia, I believe that with the Island Medical City project, it is now time that we attract back our young medical professionals who are excited about new opportunities here.
“Congratulations on the birth of the Peel Wing expansion, and I wish you the very best as you work towards the ultimate completion of the Island Medical City project, which no doubt, will be the future icon of Penang,” Chow said.
Among others present during the event were Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, state Agrotech and Food Security, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Norlela Ariffin, incumbent Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, hospital director Benny Lim and its board of directors Prof Dr Wong Twee Juat and Datuk Dr Chong Keat Foong.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat