KUCHING: The Borneo Global MediTourism Medical Tourism Excellence Awards aim to become an annual platform to recognise excellence in the medical tourism industry, with hopes of attracting recipients from other countries in future editions.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the inaugural awards marked an important step in recognising the contributions of individuals and organisations across the industry.
“My hope is that these awards will become an annual recognition platform for the medical tourism industry,” he said at the BGMT 2026 Welcome Gala Dinner and Awards ceremony at the Waterfront Hotel here last night (Oct 12).
He said the awards should serve as a benchmark for excellence, encouraging organisations to improve their services, innovate and establish partnerships across borders.
“An award should not simply be a trophy on a shelf. It should represent a standard. It should represent something that others aspire to achieve,” he said.
Abdul Karim said he hoped future editions would feature more categories, nominees and participating countries, with the awards eventually becoming an important regional platform for medical tourism recognition.
He said medical tourism involved multiple sectors, with each contributing to the patient experience and Sarawak’s reputation.
“Our ambition cannot simply be to attract more patients. Our ambition must be to become better at what we do,” he said.
The six recipients of the inaugural awards were Sarawak Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Datuk Hii Chang Kee, Dr Kenny Yeap Kim Pey, Innoquest Pathology, Sarawak Media Group (TVS), Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh and AirBorneo.
Abdul Karim congratulated the recipients and thanked the Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) and Orbitel for organising the inaugural awards.
Also present were Deputy Ministers for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew and Datuk Snowdan Lawan, Deputy Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government II (Public Health and Housing) Datuk Michael Tiang Ming Tee, Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew and STF president Audry Wan Ullok.
