Latest news with #SurianiAhmad
The Sun
5 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Malaysia launches MYMT 2026 campaign to attract high-value health travellers
Dzulkefly (centre) launching Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre today. Second from left is Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad. – Bernamapic KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is doubling down on its ambition to become one of Asia's top medical tourism hubs, and banking on the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism 2026 (MYMT 2026) campaign to draw more high-value health travellers while ensuring affordability and inclusivity remain central to its strategy. Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who launched the campaign today at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, said Malaysia's unique value proposition, world-class medical facilities, competitive costs and culturally attuned hospitality, positions it strongly against regional heavyweights Thailand and Singapore. 'When we do our peer comparison regionally, we still believe we are competitive. That is our fighting spirit,' Dzulkefly told reporters during a post-launch press conference. Addressing industry worries about the impact of the 6% Sales and Service Tax on healthcare packages, Dzulkefly acknowledged the concern but insisted Malaysia retains a pricing advantage compared to its neighbours. 'Whatever it is, it will leave an impression,' he said. 'But we still feel, even with the SST, Malaysia remains competitive in the region.' Malaysia attracted 1.6 million healthcare travellers in 2024, with the bulk coming from Indonesia, India and China. Dzulkefly said while Indonesia would remain the largest market, MYMT 2026 will aim to diversify catchment markets to reduce reliance on traditional sources and tap new segments in the Middle East and Europe. 'We will continue to grow, not just depending on the three countries mentioned earlier,' he said. 'There is a pull factor we can create for other markets.' Dzulkefly highlighted cardiothoracic surgery, in-vitro fertilisation and oncology as Malaysia's flagship specialties, while also pushing traditional and complementary medicine to differentiate Malaysia's offerings. 'This gives us very high added value alongside our state-of-the-art quality that is affordable and accessible,' he said. 'Trust and compassion are synonymous with our healthcare tourism.' The event also spotlighted the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Programme, naming four hospitals, National Heart Institute, Island Hospital Penang, Mahkota Medical Centre and Subang Jaya Medical Centre, as top contenders. The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), which is the organiser and lead agency behind the campaign, said these flagship institutions set benchmarks in clinical excellence, innovation and international patient services. The campaign aligns with MHTC's RM12 billion revenue target by 2030, building on a 21% jump in medical tourism revenue in 2024 to RM2.72 billion. Dzulkefly said Malaysia's role as chair of the Asean Health Ministers Meeting in 2026 will provide a platform to lead regional conversations on cross-border healthcare and equity. Separately, he confirmed that Pasir Gudang Hospital is expected to reach 50% operational readiness by year-end, with full opening targeted for early 2026, pending staffing and equipment readiness. He also welcomed the government's move to convert contract doctors to permanent service, saying it would boost morale and retention in the public healthcare system. 'This conversion is an incentive for them to stay with us. We will carry it out as soon as possible,' he said. Renowned singer Datuk Sri Siti Nurhaliza was appointed MYMT 2026's ambassador to help extend Malaysia's medical tourism message to a broader audience, especially in neighbouring Indonesia where she has strong fan appeal.
New Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
Pasir Gudang Hospital to operate in stages starting Aug 1
PASIR GUDANG: Pasir Gudang Hospital (HPG), built at a cost of RM500 million, will begin operations in phases starting Aug 1. It is the third public hospital in Johor Baru, after Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) and Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI). Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the new facility is expected to ease congestion at HSA and HSI once it becomes fully operational by July next year. "Operations at HPG will begin in phases from Aug 1, starting with 30 per cent of its core services. "These include General Medicine, Nephrology, Emergency and Trauma Services (ETS), Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G), and surgical care. "The Health Ministry aims for the hospital to be fully operational by July 2026, supported by over 1,800 staff. This will significantly ease congestion at both HSA and HSI. "Specialists have already started taking up their posts here, particularly in key departments, in preparation for the opening," he told reporters after the Pasir Gudang Hospital Project Handover Ceremony held here today. Present were Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad; Public Works Department director-general Datuk Roslan Ismail; Johor Health and Environment Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon; and Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh. Located in Bandar Seri Alam and spanning 20.6 hectares, HPG is equipped with 304 beds and offers 14 specialist services. Its facilities include 36 Class G staff quarters, 50 units of nurses' hostel blocks, 1,507 car parking bays, 320 motorcycle bays, and 32 bays for persons with disabilities. Commenting on the proposal to build Sultanah Aminah Hospital 2 (HSA 2) to ease severe congestion at the existing HSA, Dzulkefly said preliminary works have already started. Last month, it was reported that the HSA 2 project had entered the final phase of preparing the working paper, which is expected to be tabled to the Cabinet for further deliberation and approval. Ling was reported as saying that the progress followed the resolution of land ownership issues and the completion of preliminary groundwork. The working paper was expected to be finalised last month. The proposed site for HSA 2 involves part of a land parcel owned by the Defence Ministry in Skudai, which has already granted permission for development. Earlier, the federal government approved funding for initial works through a budget presented by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Star
24-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
QuickCheck: Is a ministry's secretary-general promoting a health product for diabetes patients?
ONE'S health should never be neglected, especially if suffering from non-communicable diseases. However, many such individuals, in hopes of getting rid of what ails them, can be susceptible to unscrupulous businesses. Social media posts have recently been circulating, claiming that the secretary-general of a ministry is promoting a health product that can help diabetes patients. Is this true? Verdict: False The Health Ministry has asked the public to be wary of a video on social media that misuses the identity of Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad to promote a diabetes care product. It said that the secretary-general had never endorsed such a product and added that his image was generated using artificial intelligence. "The public is advised to only use health products registered with the Health Ministry and not to purchase any health products from unaccredited sellers or vendors, especially through online platforms," it said in a Facebook post on Tuesday (June 24). The ministry said consumers should only use health products after consultation with and guidance received from qualified medical practitioners. The ministry also urged the public to report any unregistered health products to its pharmacy services programme through the public complaint management system (SisPAA) at "The ministry strongly condemns the unethical use of AI technology," it said, adding that use of unauthorised health products was dangerous and could even lead to death! The ministry also urged the public not to be easily deceived or influenced and also warned entrepreneurs not to mislead the public. It is also reminded the public to report any false and misleading content via (i) email at nmc@ (ii) at 1800-188-030; or (iii) at complaint/
The Star
30-04-2025
- Health
- The Star
Perks for health workers
PETALING JAYA: Nurses, assistant medical officers, healthcare assistants and community nurses who care for psychiatric, tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy patients at Health Ministry facilities will be paid a monthly allowance of RM100. Health Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Suriani Ahmad, in a circular, said this applies to officers who serve in special wards and is not confined to those serving at the National Leprosy Control Centre in Sungai Buloh or the Institute of Respiratory Medicine in Kuala Lumpur. The incentive is extended to those serving at Health Ministry hospitals that provide such services, adding that the order took effect on Oct 1 last year. To qualify for this allowance, officers will have to serve at leprosy or TB wards full time. In March, five leprosy cases were reported in Selangor while nine cases were reported in Negri Sembilan in February. Malaysia reported 26,183 TB cases in 2024, a marginal increase of 34 cases from 2023. Around 21,959 of these infections involved Malaysians, which is lower than the 22,132 cases reported the year before. According to the March 6 circular, there are a total of 61 hospitals nationwide with psychiatric wards. While there are no specific hospitals listed out for leprosy, there are 19 hospitals with TB wards. In another circular, Suriani said assistant medical officers who serve alone at health clinics in Sabah and Sarawak will qualify for a passive on-call allowance of RM100 monthly if they serve after office hours. This order came into effect on Sept 1 last year.
