Government banking on private healthcare system to boost medical tourism, increase jobs
Abang Johari (front, second right) listens to Dr Yeap’s explanation on the computerised tomography (CT) scan services provided by BMC Miri. Also seen are (from front left) Lee and Dr Sim, while behind them are (from left) Dr Tang, Lau and Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon.
MIRI: The government hopes to diversify Miri’s economy through medical tourism to further increase jobs and other opportunities and create a stable income ecosystem, says Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said it was his wish to see Miri supported by a strong, robust and growing healthcare system, which was in addition to the existing oil and gas as well as plantation industries.
“Our private healthcare system in Sarawak has grown into a thriving industry, or the wellness industry. This is one of the thrusts of our development in the 12th Malaysia Plan, from 2021 to 2025.
“In fact, there are already proposals from investors to set up new and specialised kinds of hospitals in Sarawak,” he said in his address when officiating at the opening of Borneo Medical Centre (BMC) Miri at Jalan Cahaya, yesterday.
With BMC now the fourth private medical centre here, he said the government hoped to transform Miri into a medical hub to stir the growth of the local economy and foreign exchange.
“If we look at Miri now, we have good infrastructures in place. The city’s growth is boosted by the collaboration of both the local government and the private sector, which has resulted in development of projects such as Mulu National Park, Tusan Beach, Marina Park and more.”
On BMC, Abang Johari said the journey of the centre started 22 years ago when Rejang Medical Centre was established in Sibu by a Sarawakian, which subsequently led to the expansion of BMC to Bintulu in 2011, and Kuching in 2013.
“Today, we see the birth of another branch of BMC which connects both the final point; thereby making BMC group the backbone of private healthcare for Sarawak.
“The network of BMC group has been providing the people of Sarawak with tertiary-level care at an affordable price, as well as providing a place for budding new health professionals to return to,” he said.
Among those present at yesterday’s ceremony were Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Transport Minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin, BMC managing directors Dr Peter Tang and Robert Lau, BMC Miri chairman Dr Matthew Kho and BMC Miri medical director Dr Kenny Yeap.