KUCHING: Sarawak’s growing medical tourism sector is attracting both patients and skilled medical professionals, much like ‘ants drawn to sugar’, as the state continues expanding its private healthcare facilities.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah asserted that the establishment of new private hospitals will strengthen the state’s position in the medical and wellness tourism industry.
He noted that medical tourism brings in not just patients but also their families, who contribute significantly to the local economy.
“Despite Kuching’s population being less than one million, we have five private hospitals—with three more on the way.
“It’s just like ants drawn to sugar. When medical facilities grow and attract more patients, they also draw skilled doctors from outside, as hospitals can afford to pay medical specialists.
“This attracts even more patients. When one patient comes, four or five family members usually accompany them, staying for more than a few days due to follow-up check-ups,” he said when officiating the D’Drift 2025 flag off at TT3, DayakDaily office on Thursday (Feb 27).
Sarawak has several existing private hospitals, including KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital, Borneo Medical Centre (BMC), Timberland Medical Centre, and Normah Medical Specialist Centre.
Over the next three to five years, Sarawak will expand its healthcare infrastructure with three new 300-bed private hospitals in Kuching, including Gleneagles Hospital in Batu Lintang as well as one each in Tabuan Jaya and Petra Jaya.
As such, Abdul Karim explained that this leads to increased demand for accommodations such as hotels, homestays, and apartments, while also benefiting the food and service industries.
He noted that previously, many people sought medical treatment in Singapore, but with the rising exchange rate, more are turning to local healthcare providers offering high-quality services at competitive prices.
“Sarawak is now joining Penang, Malacca, and Kuala Lumpur as a rising hub for medical tourism,” he added.
Meanwhile, the upcoming AirBorneo airline is expected to further boost the sector by improving accessibility for foreign patients, particularly those from Indonesia.
Abdul Karim noted that many patients from Pontianak, Indonesia currently endure long overland journeys to Kuching due to the lack of direct flights.
Some even travel via Jakarta before reaching Sarawak.
“With AirBorneo, travel time will be significantly reduced, making it easier for patients and their families to seek treatment here.
“The demand for flights between Kuching and Jakarta is consistently high, with load factors exceeding 80 per cent,” he said.
He expressed confidence that enhanced air connectivity would encourage more Indonesians to choose Sarawak for medical treatment, further driving growth in the state’s healthcare and tourism industries.
