Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) celebrated a significant milestone in the nation’s medical tourism journey with the official announcement of the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) 2025 winner. This flagship initiative, developed by MHTC, aims to elevate Malaysia’s global reputation as a leading destination for high-quality, patient-centred medical care.
The announcement took place at the FMTH 2025 Award Ceremony held at M Resort & Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The event was graced by YB Datuk Seri Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, Malaysia’s Health Minister, who officiated the ceremony and presented the awards.
Also in attendance were En. Suriaghandi Suppiah, CEO of MHTC, and YBhg. Dato’ Sri Siti Nurhaliza, the recently appointed Brand Ambassador for Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026.
Strengthening Malaysia’s Position in Global Healthcare
In his opening speech, the Health Minister highlighted the strategic importance of medical tourism in supporting Malaysia’s economic resilience and global competitiveness. He emphasised that the FMTH Programme plays a pivotal role in positioning Malaysia as a trusted destination for world-class medical treatments, wellness services, and recovery journeys—while also driving growth in related sectors including pharmaceuticals, hospitality, and healthcare technology.
Celebrating Excellence in Malaysian Healthcare
Reflecting on the nation’s momentum, MHTC CEO En. Suriaghandi Suppiah reaffirmed the FMTH Programme’s goal to benchmark Malaysia against global healthcare leaders. The initiative not only recognises outstanding achievement but also fuels Malaysia’s long-term aspirations for a resilient, inclusive, and competitive healthcare ecosystem.
The prestigious title of Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital 2025 was awarded to:
Island Hospital, Penang
Recognised for excellence in medical outcomes, service quality, and international branding.
The other FMTH finalists included:
- Institut Jantung Negara (IJN)
- Mahkota Medical Centre, Melaka
- Subang Jaya Medical Centre
MHTC also presented five specialised accolades, acknowledging hospitals that achieved national leadership in key performance domains:
- Excellence in Healthcare Tourism Revenue Growth
– Island Hospital, Penang
- Medical Excellence & Technology Distinction
– Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) - Strategic Industry Partnership Leader
– Mahkota Medical Centre, Melaka - Digital Innovation in Patient Service Delivery
– Island Hospital, Penang - Brand Distinction Excellence
– Subang Jaya Medical Centre
A Multi-Year Transformation for Malaysia’s Healthcare Future
Launched in 2021, the FMTH Programme is a structured, multi-phase national transformation effort designed to enhance Malaysia’s global healthcare competitiveness.
Finalists underwent rigorous bi-annual audits, strategic mentoring, capacity-building programmes, and evaluations by international authorities such as Joint Commission International (JCI) and IQVIA APAC.
These hospitals demonstrated exceptional commitment to clinical excellence, infrastructure development, digital innovation, and patient-focused care. The FMTH 2025 Winner will now serve as Malaysia’s ambassador hospital… embodying the nation’s promise of trusted care, medical expertise, and hospitality.
Driving Malaysia’s Medical Tourism Momentum Ahead of MYMT 2026
As Malaysia prepares for Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026, MHTC is expanding its offerings to include holistic, integrative healthcare experiences that combine:
- medical treatment
- wellness and preventive care
- Traditional & Complementary Medicine (T&CM)
- concierge-style patient journey management
This approach ensures seamless end-to-end support—from pre-arrival coordination to recovery-friendly hospitality and curated tourism experiences.
Malaysia’s Healthcare Travel Sector Continues to Grow
Malaysia’s medical tourism industry continues to show strong growth, welcoming 1.6 million healthcare travellers in 2024 and generating RM2.72 billion in revenue. Travellers from across ASEAN and neighbouring regions remain top contributors, drawn by Malaysia’s reputation for affordable, high-quality medical care.
With the FMTH Programme and MYMT 2026 on the horizon, Malaysia is poised to strengthen its position as one of the world’s most trusted destinations for medical tourism—offering international patients unparalleled healthcare quality, innovative treatments, and warm Malaysian hospitality.
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