Sunway Healthcare Group Unveils Its First Hospital in Penang

25 July 2023

Sunway Medical Centre Penang, the latest addition to Sunway Healthcare Group's network of hospitals, officially launched today and will be the Group’s premier healthcare facility serving the country’s Northern region. The momentous event was graced by Yang Berhormat Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister of Health Malaysia, Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah AO, Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group, Dr Khoo Chow Huat, Managing Director (Hospital and Healthcare Operations), Sunway Healthcare Group, and Ms Stephanie Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Sunway Medical Centre Penang.

Having commenced operations on 11 November 2022, Sunway Medical Centre Penang is a comprehensive tertiary care hospital offering a diverse range of more than 30 medical specialities with a main focus on Cancer Care and acute care treatment. Its healthcare team has a steadfast commitment to bridge the gap in healthcare access and enhancing the well-being of local communities.

Minister of Health, Dr Zaliha Mustafa, applauded the launch of the hospital, noting that there was a great need for specialised diagnostic and medical treatment options in the northern region. She also expressed her hope for more effective public-private partnerships.

“I am pleased to note that Sunway Medical Centre Penang is complementing the Ministry of Health’s efforts to serve the healthcare needs of Penangites, by offering access to specialised diagnostic and medical treatment options such as radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, and robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery,” she said. “The Ministry of Health is taking steps to cultivate effective public-private collaborations, as this will reduce workload imbalance, optimise the use of resources between the public and private sectors and improve access to health care services, including services at the community level.

“Sunway Healthcare’s presence in Penang signifies a new milestone, elevating the state's healthcare travel offerings to unprecedented levels, especially as a part of Malaysian Healthcare Tourism Council’s (MHTC) esteemed hospital membership programme. Together with MHTC, Sunway Medical Centre Penang will enhance the state’s standing in the healthcare travel industry, solidifying Penang’s reputation as a preferred destination for exceptional medical services.”

Sunway Group Founder and Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr Jeffrey Cheah AO said that Sunway Healthcare Group is actively expanding the capacity in their current hospitals to cater to demand, including at Sunway Medical Centre Penang. The Group is also building new hospitals in the northern region such as a Sunway Medical Centre Ipoh (Perak) and a rehabilitation hospital in Paya Terubong (Penang), as well as in other areas, namely Sunway Damansara (Selangor), Kota Bharu (Kelantan) and Sunway City Iskandar Puteri (Johor).

“Sunway’s presence in mainland Penang is modelled along the lines of our very successful Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s first integrated green city. Sunway Medical Centre Penang is the latest addition to our integrated development here, where more than 600 healthcare professionals will work hand-in-hand to deliver excellent patient care. With the support of the Ministry of Health, and given Sunway’s own track record, Sunway Healthcare is on track to become a leading integrated private healthcare group in ASEAN,” he said.

Sunway Healthcare Group Managing Director (Hospital and Healthcare Operations) Dr Khoo Chow Huat noted that while Sunway Medical Centre Penang currently has a capacity of close to 200 beds, a phase two expansion scheduled to complete in 2024 would see SMCP ramp up to more than 330 beds.

“The reception we received from the communities here has been overwhelming, and hence we are pushing to expand and fit out earlier than scheduled and build up our capabilities in the areas of cardiology and stroke, among others. We also have plans to bring Sunway Healthcare’s ancillary services such as the Sunway Traditional and Complementary Medicine Centre, and Home Healthcare to the Northern Region soon,” said Dr Khoo.

In line with its commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in healthcare, Sunway Medical Centre Penang offers state-of-the-art treatment options to its patients. The centre is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including the Varian TruebeamTM STX, a powerful radiotherapy system that enables highly targeted and effective cancer treatment. The centre also is the first to procure and install the Da Vinci Robotic Surgery Systems in the Northern Region, empowering surgeons with enhanced precision, control and minimally invasive techniques for complex surgical procedures.

The hospital has also implemented Electronic Medical Records (EMR), a smart and paperless hospital information system that ensures streamlined and secure medical and treatment records, enhancing patient care and reducing unnecessary waste. Sunway Medical Centre Penang takes great pride in its dedication to environmental responsibility, having implemented various green practices to minimise its ecological footprint, such as limiting the usage of plastic within the hospital, practising energy conservation measures and adopting efficient waste management systems.

Sunway Medical Centre Penang's official launch signifies a significant step forward in its mission to provide outstanding healthcare services and bridge the gap in healthcare access. With a focus on quality, advanced technologies and environmental responsibility, SMCP aims to revolutionise healthcare delivery and become a trusted partner in the community.