THE Penang government, through Penang Development Corporation (PDC), plans to build several hospitals in Batu Kawan to cater to the people’s medical needs.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said PDC is currently in negotiation with a few parties to set up medical facilities in Batu Kawan.
“We are working on two or three hospitals to be set up in Batu Kawan, likely three in particular.
“We’re still in serious negotiation. I think one is quite positive while two are still at the early stage of negotiations.
“We also aspire to turn some land in Batu Kawan to be a medical hub, probably for more than two hospitals in the same locality catering to the different needs.
“Hopefully, this will add on to the ecosystem of the medical tourism in Penang,” Chow told reporters after officiating the roll-out of the Conoxia mobile packaged oxygen at Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH) in George Town today.
Speaking about medical tourism, Chow said that over the past few years, the state has seen a healthy growth and has been on top as a medical tourism destination for many years.
“Penang accounted for about 60 percent of total medical tourists in the country.
“About 10.3 percent of international visitors in Penang are tourists seeking medical treatment.
“This shows that Penang continues to shine in medical tourism and the state’s popularity in the medical tourism industry.
“So, we need to stay competitive with the best facilities, equipment and with the professional help, we can remain on top of the medical tourism sector in Malaysia,” Chow added.
Also present were PAH president & chief executive officer Ronald Koh and Linde Malaysia managing director Anuj Sharma.
Anuj said that Penang Adventist Hospital is the first hospital in the northern region to be equipped with Conoxia mobile medical oxygen.
“Conoxia is a medical gas solution packaged in a light weight mobile oxygen aluminium cylinder with a state-of-the art Linde Integrated Valve (LIV).
“The LIV is an integrated regulator which controls the flow of oxygen and enables a caregiver to dispense Conoxia to patients safely and with ease.
“Weighing under six kilogrammes, it is the lightest medical oxygen cylinder available in the country,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Law Suun Ting
Video by Darwina Mohd Daud