Island Hospital Penang
(Multi Speciality)
Established In : 1996
No of Beds : 600
Address info :
308, Macalister Road, 10450 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
About
Island Hospital Penang stands as a premier quaternary healthcare institution in Malaysia, recently distinguished as the nations first Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital for 2025. Located in George Town, this 600-bed facility integrates advanced medical technology with a multidisciplinary team of over 80 internationally trained specialists. By offering high-quality clinical outcomes across its nine specialized Centres of Excellence, the hospital serves as a vital hub for both local and international patients seeking complex surgical interventions and comprehensive wellness programs.
Leading Specialist Doctors
Island Hospital features a diverse roster of consultants, many of whom are recognized leaders in their respective fields. Below is a curated list of prominent specialists:
| Specialty | Specialist Name | Key Expertise |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiology | Dr. Chong Chu Ling | Interventional Cardiology & Heart Disease |
| Orthopaedics | Dr. Aaron Lim Boon Keng | Sports Medicine & Joint Replacement |
| Oncology | Dr. M. Amir Shah | Clinical Oncology & Radiotherapy |
| Internal Medicine | Prof. Dr. Malik Mumtaz | Endocrinology & Diabetes Management |
| Gastroenterology | Dr. Damian Wong Nye Woh | Digestive Health & Hepatology |
| Neurology | Dr. Haniffah B. Abdul Gafoor | Brain & Nervous System Disorders |
| Ophthalmology | Dr. Andrew Lim Keat Eu | Eye Surgery & Vitreoretinal Care |
| Gynaecology | Dr. Mah Siew Lee | Laparoscopic Gynaecological Surgery |
| Paediatrics | Dr. Teh Chee Ming | Paediatric Neurology |
Hospital Showcase
Malaysias Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital - Island Hospital
This video highlights Island Hospitals recent recognition as a premier healthcare destination, showcasing its commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centered care.
Facilities
Island Hospital Penang offers a broad range of medical and guest facilities designed to provide a seamless healthcare experience. The facilities are distributed between the Macalister Wing and the newer Peel Wing.
Facilities at Island Hospital Penang
| Category | Facility & Amenities |
|---|---|
| Medical Facilities | 14 Operating Theatres, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Cardiac Care Unit (CCU), High Dependency Unit (HDU), Day Surgery Ward, Endoscopy Suite, and Advanced Catheterization Labs. |
| Diagnostic Centers | Health Screening Centre (One-stop), Radiology Department (CT, MRI, PET/CT), In-house Medical Laboratory, and Nuclear Medicine Unit. |
| Guest Services | International Patient Service Centre (IPSC), Medical Concierge, Airport Pickup/Transfer Service, and Currency Exchange assistance. |
| Dining & Retail | Macalister Cafeteria, Peel Cafeteria (Halal Asian & Western), Beangels Specialty Coffee, Four Leaves Bakery, Love A Loaf, and a 24-hour Vending Machine area. |
| Convenience | Luggage Storage (safekeeping for travelers), Multi-story Car Park, Pharmacy, and a "Shop the Essentials" retail corner for hospital merchandise/comfort kits. |
| Digital Features | Integrated Hospital Information System, Online Appointment Booking, and Telemedicine (Second Opinion) services. |
Inpatient Accommodation Options
Patients can choose from various room types, all equipped with standard amenities like air conditioning, nursing call buttons, and adjustable beds.
| Room Type | Key Amenities | Estimated Rate (per night) |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Suite | Dining table, sofa bed, mini fridge, satellite TV, and writing desk. | RM 700+ |
| Executive Suite | Living area with sofa, flat-screen TV, and complimentary snacks. | RM 600+ |
| Single Superior | Private room with recliner chair, TV, and mini fridge. | RM 400+ |
| Standard (2-Bedded) | Shared room for two with privacy curtains and individual TV. | RM 250+ |
| General (4-5 Bedded) | Economical shared ward with individual lockers and bedside tables. | RM 150+ |
Note: Rates are subject to change and may vary based on the specific wing (Macalister vs. Peel).
Achievements Highlights
Island Hospital Penang is widely recognized as a benchmark for medical excellence in Malaysia, recently achieving the highest honor in the country’s medical tourism sector.
Achievements & Highlights
| Category | Award / Recognition | Year / Details |
|---|---|---|
| National Leadership | Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital (FMTH) | 2025 Winner: Named Malaysia’s first flagship hospital by the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC). |
| Global Ranking | Newsweek: World’s Best Hospitals | 2025: Ranked #7 in Malaysia (the top-ranked hospital in Penang). |
| Clinical Excellence | ACHSI Centres of Excellence (CoE) | One of the few in SE Asia with 3 CoE certifications: Cancer Care (2023), Cardiology (2024), and Gastroenterology (2025). |
| Digital Innovation | HIMSS Stage 5 Certification | Recognizes high maturity in Electronic Medical Record (EMR) adoption. |
| Specialized Awards | Global Health Asia-Pacific Awards | Multiple wins including Hospital of the Year and Smart Hospital of the Year. |
| Patient Care | Digital Innovation in Patient Service | Won in 2025 for its integrated digital ecosystem (mobile app with real-time queue tracking). |
| Market Growth | Revenue Growth Award (MHTC) | Recognized for significant contributions to Malaysia’s healthcare tourism revenue. |
Major Performance Highlights
- International Hub: Treats over 300,000 patients annually, with approximately 50% being international travelers from over 80 countries.
- Specialist Expertise: Home to over 80 full-time consultants with an average of 24.4 years of experience; nearly 90% are internationally trained (UK, US, Australia).
- Technological Edge: First in Malaysia to host an in-house pathology laboratory and utilizes advanced equipment like the Siemens Somatom Drive (Dual Source CT) and TrueBeam radiotherapy.
- Future Expansion: The Island Medical City project is underway, which will expand capacity to 1,000 beds, making it one of the largest medical hubs in Southeast Asia.
Infrastructure
Island Hospital Penang features a world-class infrastructure designed to support its status as a quaternary care facility and Malaysia’s leading medical tourism hub. The hospital spans two major wings connected by innovative engineering and is equipped with some of the most advanced medical technologies in the region.
Building Infrastructure
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Wings | Two main wings: Macalister Wing (Original) and the new Peel Wing (12-storey expansion). |
| Medical Underpass | Malaysia’s first medical underpass walkway (120 meters) built beneath live traffic, allowing seamless and safe transfer of patients and specialists between wings. |
| Total Area | Approximately 2 million square feet of medical space upon full completion of the Island Medical City project. |
| Future Expansion | Currently expanding toward 1,000 beds (Island Medical City), which will include medical suites and a dedicated medical tourist hotel. |
State-of-the-Art Medical Technology
The infrastructure is designed to provide "same-day results" for health screenings through integrated high-tech diagnostic tools:
Imaging & Diagnostics:
- Siemens Somatom Drive: A Dual Source CT scanner for high-speed, low-radiation imaging.
- 3 Tesla MRI: High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging for precise neurological and musculoskeletal diagnosis.
- PET/CT (Siemens Biograph mCT): Advanced nuclear medicine for early cancer detection and staging.
- 3D Mammography (Mammomat Revelation): Enhanced accuracy for breast cancer screening.
Treatment & Surgery:
- TrueBeam STx: Advanced radiotherapy system for non-invasive cancer treatment.
- 3D Laparoscopic Surgery: High-definition visualization for minimally invasive surgical procedures.
- Anti-Gravity Treadmill: Specialized NASA-level technology used in the Rehabilitation Centre for recovery.
Patient-Centric Facilities
- International Patient Service Centre: A dedicated infrastructure for end-to-end logistics, including airport transfers and medical concierge services.
- Integrated Digital Ecosystem: A HIMSS Stage 5 certified facility with an electronic medical records (EMR) system that links all departments for efficient patient data management.
- Convenience Amenities: Includes luggage storage, vending machines, a multi-story car park, and various inpatient room tiers from General Wards to Premier Suites.
Department
Island Hospital Penang offers a comprehensive range of medical services, categorized into specialized Centres of Excellence and clinical departments.
The hospital is particularly well-known for being a Regional Quaternary Care Centre, meaning it handles highly specialized and complex medical cases.
Hospital Departments & Specialties
| Category | Departments & Sub-Specialties |
|---|---|
| Centres of Excellence | Heart (Cardiology), Cancer (Oncology), Digestive (Gastroenterology), Orthopaedics & Spine, Urology, Fertility (IVF), Health Screening, Neuroscience, and LASIK Centre. |
| Surgical Services | General Surgery, Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat), and Ophthalmology. |
| Internal Medicine | Endocrinology (Diabetes & Thyroid), Nephrology (Kidney), Respiratory Medicine, Rheumatology, Infectious Diseases, and Dermatology. |
| Women & Children | Obstetrics & Gynaecology (O&G), Paediatrics, Neonatology, and Clinical Genetics. |
| Mental Health | Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology, and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. |
| Diagnostic & Support | Radiology & Interventional Radiology, Laboratory & Pathology, Nuclear Medicine, Physiotherapy, and Speech & Language Therapy. |
| Emergency | 24-Hour Accident & Emergency Department. |
Key Specialized Units
Island Hospital features several high-tech units that support these departments:
- Movement Disorder Clinic: One of the few centers in the region specializing in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s.
- Rehabilitation Centre: Featuring advanced technology like the Anti-Gravity Treadmill for musculoskeletal recovery.
- Endoscopy Suite: Specialized for both diagnostic and interventional procedures (ERCP, Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy).
