KUCHING: A new healthcare facilitation company aiming to connect international patients, particularly from Indonesia, with hospitals and specialists in Sarawak officially launched its Kuching office today.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian said in his speech that the move reflected confidence in Sarawak’s growing healthcare ecosystem and its potential to become a leading regional destination for medical and health tourism.
Kuching South City Hall (MBKS) Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng read the speech and officiated the launch on behalf of Dr Sim.
“Healthcare has evolved beyond treating illness into an economic sector that stimulates tourism, creates jobs, attracts investment and promotes international collaboration, with one of We Care Asia’s key contributions being an increase in the number of international patients seeking treatment at Sarawak hospitals,” he said.
Dr Sim noted that a significant proportion of these patients were expected to come from Indonesia, given its proximity and long-standing historical, cultural and geographical ties with Sarawak, and said medical travellers were usually accompanied by family members who would generate additional demand for hotels, serviced apartments, restaurants, transport and other tourism-related services.
He added that the growth of medical tourism could also complement the Sarawak-Malaysia My Second Home (S-MM2H) programme, as the state’s political stability, affordable cost of living, quality healthcare and welcoming multicultural society made it attractive to retirees, expatriates and long-stay residents.
We Care Asia chief executive officer and founder Dr Yusof Ahmad Khairuddin said the company’s philosophy of “Care Beyond Boundaries” was built on the belief that geographical borders should not stand in the way of patients accessing the right care, with its Kuching office aimed at providing a seamless healthcare journey from identifying specialists to arranging treatment and post-treatment support.
He said Sarawak’s excellent healthcare institutions, experienced professionals and welcoming environment gave it a strong foundation to grow as a healthcare destination, and that the office would also work to promote Sarawak as a place for cultural and tourism experiences alongside medical treatment.
The launch was supported by a collaboration with St Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou, China, represented at the event by the hospital’s Deputy Director of Breast Cancer Oncology, Dr Wang Baoli, and Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou Malaysia office general manager Alan Yong Chee Hong.
Dr Sim said the hospital was equipped with 18 advanced minimally invasive cancer treatment technologies, including DEB-TACE, combined knife therapy, particle implantation therapy and natural therapy, and that the partnership would provide a platform for professional exchange, training and research cooperation between healthcare professionals in Sarawak and their counterparts in Guangzhou.
Also present were Timberland Medical Centre chief executive officer Dr Kelvin Ch’ng Boon Hong and KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital chief executive officer Nor Azlina Jemain among other healthcare, tourism and government representatives.
