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3 clusters · 3 sources · 13 days · First seen · Last updated

Sarawak medical tourism industry development

Overview

Sarawak is actively expanding its medical tourism sector through infrastructure growth and increasing visitor numbers. To strengthen its position as a destination for international and domestic patients, the state is expanding private healthcare capacity in Kuching. Key developments include the addition of 200 beds at KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital and expansions at Borneo Medical Centre, Timberland, the National Heart Institute (IJN) Northbank branch, and Hospital Normah.

Data indicates significant growth in the sector, with medical tourist numbers rising from 64,393 in 2023 and 76,796 in 2024 to 104,106 in 2025. At the Borneo Global MediTourism Congress & Expo (BGMT) 2026, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, noted that while these figures demonstrate industry confidence, they also necessitate increased responsibility. He emphasized the need for higher service standards, greater professionalism for international partners, and improved infrastructure to meet rising expectations from patients and investors.

Developing a robust medical tourism ecosystem will require integrated collaboration across the healthcare, hospitality, tourism, and technology sectors to build a strong reputation for quality and expertise.

Entities

Kuching · Sarawak · Borneo Medical Centre · South Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare · KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Sarawak Tourism Board targets 10% increase in Indonesian arrivals

    The Sarawak Tourism Board aims to increase Indonesian tourist arrivals by 8-10% this year, following a record 700,000 visitors last year, through expanded marketing and medical tourism promotion.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Sarawak medical tourism reaches 104,106 visitors in 2025

    Sarawak's medical tourism numbers rose to 104,106 in 2025, prompting calls for improved infrastructure and higher service standards to meet growing international expectations.

  3. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Sarawak expands private healthcare capacity to boost medical tourism

    Sarawak is expanding private hospital capacity in Kuching, including a 200-bed increase at KPJ Kuching, to boost medical tourism and local economic growth.

Sources

dayakdaily.com · sarawakdaily.com · tvsarawak.my

This summary has been updated 1 time: see revision history