DESPITE being the second smallest state in the country, Penang continues to shine in medical tourism.
The healthcare sector has seen a robust growth over the past few years with the setting up of medical institutions across the state.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state’s popularity in the medical tourism industry attracted many visitors to Penang for treatment.
He said this was in line with state government’s aspiration to make Penang as an ideal health tourism hub.
“The state cannot achieve this alone without the help of medical institutions and medical practitioners.
“In order to achieve this, we need to place importance on healthcare industry,” Chow said in his speech before the groundbreaking ceremony of Georgetown Specialist Hospital in Jalan Masjid Negeri today.
He also commended the hospital for continuously enhancing patient care.
Also present were the hospital’s chairman Datuk Dr Liong Men Long, Medan City Government representative officer Eddy Virgo, state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee and state Agriculture, Agro-based Industries, Rural Development and Health Committee chairman Dr Afif Bahardin.
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh and Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng also joined the ceremony.
The hospital which is situated along Jalan Masjid Negeri has three phases of development.
Liong told reporters that the first phase involved the refurbishment of the hospital building with various medical equipment.
“The first phase has completed, while phase two and three are expected to be completed in three or four years,” adding that the entire development would take place at the 1.7-acre land.
The remaining two development phases would involve an estimated investment of about RM350 million and would see the hospital having the capacity to accommodate 300 beds.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Law Suun Ting