By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 24: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has announced plans to develop Damai in Santubong and Telok Melano in Sematan as recuperation destinations for medical tourists and post-treatment recovery patients.
He noted that while the initiative is primarily driven by the private sector, the Sarawak government is supporting the effort by constructing a dual carriageway road to Damai and exploring plans to extend the Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART) system to the area.
“For Telok Melano, there is already a proposal in place, including plans for a golf course. Additionally, the Sarawak Planning Authority (SPA) approval has been granted for a resort hotel, and if I’m not mistaken, three investors are involved in this development.
“This means that after receiving treatment at the hospital, patients can stay there for about a week to recuperate in a natural, non-hospital environment. This, of course, helps in their recovery,” he said at a press conference after officiating the groundbreaking of Gleneagles Hospital Kuching in Jalan Lintang Selatan here today.
He further compared Sarawak’s vision for medical tourism to that of the Maldives, where wealthy patients receive treatment from Indian doctors before recuperating on the islands.
“In the Maldives, people have to take a flight to the islands. But here in Sarawak, ‘ketek saja datang’ (we are just one click away),” he said in jest.
Abang Johari also expressed optimism that Sarawak could attract medical tourists from ASEAN and beyond.
“Just like in the Maldives, I observed that wealthy patients from Russia travel there for medical treatment.
“For all we know, affluent individuals from ASEAN may come here for high-quality treatment. With the right infrastructure and workforce, we can offer world-class medical services,” he emphasised.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng, IHH Healthcare chairman Tan Sri Dr Nik Norzrul Thani Nik Hassan Thani, IHH Healthcare Group chief executive officer (CEO) Dr Prem Kumar Nair, IHH Healthcare Malaysia CEO Jean-François Naa, and Timberland Medical Centre CEO & Gleneagles Hospital Kota Kinabalu CEO Dr Kelvin Ch’ng. – DayakDaily
