By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Oct 13: While Sarawak’s growing medical tourism numbers signal confidence in the industry, they also bring greater responsibility, with rising expectations for higher service standards, greater professionalism among international partners, and improved infrastructure to support future growth.
According to Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the number of medical tourists in the State rose from 64,393 in 2023 to 76,796 in 2024, before reaching 104,106 in 2025.
“These figures give us confidence, but they also come with responsibility. As the industry grows, expectations will also rise. Patients will expect higher standards of service, international partners will demand greater professionalism, and investors will expect better infrastructure,” he said at the Welcome Gala Dinner and Borneo Global MediTourism Congress & Expo (BGMT) 2026 Medical Tourism Excellence Awards at a hotel here on Monday (Oct 12), as reported by TVS.
He said the growth reflected the significant potential of Sarawak’s medical tourism sector, opening up opportunities for the state to expand its market reach and strengthen cooperation with international partners.
He also added that developing the medical tourism industry required a strong ecosystem involving not only hospitals and healthcare professionals, but also the hospitality, tourism and technology sectors, as well as organisations capable of building cross-border partnerships.
“Every component played an important role in shaping patients’ experiences and building Sarawak’s reputation as a destination offering quality, expertise, and confidence to international medical tourists,” he said.
In this regard, he hoped the BGMT platform would continue to strengthen ties among industry players, create new business opportunities and encourage innovation in the sector.
He also described the Borneo Medical Tourism Excellence Awards as an important initiative to recognise industry players’ contributions, encourage higher service standards, and attract more investment. — DayakDaily
