KUCHING, 13 Nov: Sarawak will have six new private hospitals, which is seen as a great opportunity for medical tourism.
Speaking at the State Legislative Assembly session here today, Assistant Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin said the state government’s policy is accommodative to attract more medical tourists into Sarawak.
New private hospitals were being built to add to existing ones which augured very well for it.
Although he did not elaborate on details for the new private hospitals, Lee said Kuching and Bintulu will have three each.
“Currently there are 11 licensed private hospitals providing multi-disciplined health services in the state. The ministry together with travel agents and hotels in Sarawak have been and is still organising trade fairs with attractive packages and promotions to foreigners who seek medical care in Sarawak,” Lee said.
Medical tourism in Sarawak is booming due mainly to the quality of health services in private hospitals coupled with the relatively cheaper charges.
Lee said medical tourists from Indonesia top the list, with 24,267 arrivals in 2016 and 15,220 as of March 2017. This is followed by China, with 2,029 arrivals in 2016 and 1,292 arrivals as of March 2017.
On citizen medical fees, Lee assured that it will not be effected nor impacted by the increase of foreign patients visiting Sarawak’s private hospitals because professional fees are regulated by the Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998. — DayakDaily
