Rising medical tourism highlights Sarawak’s growing healthcare appeal

KUCHING (March 12): The arrival of 104,106 visitors for medical treatment in Sarawak last year demonstrates the state’s strong potential in the medical tourism industry, said Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

The State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said the rising numbers reflect growing confidence among both local and international patients in the state’s healthcare facilities.

“From 64,393 visitors in 2023 to 76,796 in 2024, the jump to over 104,106 in 2025 shows that Sarawak’s medical services are increasingly trusted by patients seeking treatment in major cities like Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, and Sibu,” he said during a press conference after officiating the soft launch of the Borneo Global MediTourism (BGMT) Congress and Expo 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).

He noted that Kuching, with a population of around 700,000, and its suburb Samarahan, with about 100,000 more residents, already hosts five private hospitals catering not only to local patients but also those from outside the city.

He said additional hospitals are in the pipeline, with two or three already approved and under construction to support medical tourism and wellness services.

“Medical tourism is a very important and growing industry. If one patient comes in, family members, sometimes four or five children, will accompany them. They do not stay for just a day; depending on the treatment, their stay can last two weeks, a month, or even two months,” he explained.

Abdul Karim added that this extended stay directly benefits the hospitality sector, including hotels, homestays, serviced apartments, restaurants, and transport services.

Private hospitals in Sarawak have also expanded their outreach abroad, with offices in Pontianak and Jakarta promoting the state’s medical services.

The recent introduction of AirBorneo is expected to further increase arrivals.

When asked about medical tourism revenue, Abdul Karim said exact figures for the sector are not available, but noted that overall tourism receipts in Sarawak have exceeded RM1 billion per month over the past year, benefiting hotels and related industries.

He added that treatment costs in private hospitals can reach RM20,000 to RM30,000 per patient, further highlighting the economic significance of the sector.

Abdul Karim said there is no fixed target for medical tourist arrivals, but the data over the past three years shows a steady upward trend.

“The increase reflects the confidence of foreigners as well as locals towards our medical facilities. Every child wants to ensure their parents get the best medical treatment,” he said.

He added that neighbouring countries also consider factors such as safety, treatment standards, cost, and post-surgery care when choosing medical destinations.

“Sarawak has proven to be a safe, clean, and professionally managed state, which is likely why people come here both as tourists and patients,” he added.

Also present at the soft launch were State Deputy Public Health, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Michael Tiang; Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council CEO Suriaghandi Suppiah; Association of Public Hospitals Malaysia President Kuljit Singh; and BGMT Congress and Expo organising chairperson and Sarawak Tourism Federation president Audry Wan Ullok.