Speech by Lim Guan Eng at "Penang Dialogue ¨C Penang's Healthcare Sector: Strategies, Synergies & Opportunities" at Tanglin Club, Singapore on Thursday, 11^th August 2011: 

Speech at "Penang Dialogue - Penang's Healthcare Sector: Strategies, Synergies & Opportunities" 

Ladies & gentlemen

After the inspiring presentations on Cross Border Healthcare by Dato' Dr Chan Kok Ewe, Chairman of the Penang Health Association and How Singapore can contribute to Healthcare in Penang by Prof Soo Khee Chee, Director of the National Cancer Centre, Singapore, I am further encouraged to share with you my vision for healthcare in Penang.

Our vision of Penang as the leading medical hub in Malaysian is underpinned by quality healthcare, managed costs affordable for the lower as well as high-end segments of the market and a pro-active government administration intent on making the stay of not just the patients as comfortable as possible under the cirmsumstances but also relaxing for their family members. We intend to combine a all in one experience of getting our ailment treated and leaving Penang treated, rested, cured and cheerful.

The resort nature of Penang, our wonderful UNESCO World Heritage City, tantalizing old world charms and lifestyle and our world famous food is an unbeatable combination for any holidaygoers. After all Yahoo Travel listed Penang as one of the top 10 islands you must explore before you die and Penang asam laksa has been listed by CNN as the No. 7 best food in the world.

Having said that, Penang is not competing with Singapore as the lack of direct international flights make our appeal regional, especially the market close to Thailand and Northern Sumatera. In a way Penang complements Singapore in that our direct links allows any patient to also consider Singapore for further treatment.

Penang's dominant role in the medical tourism industry in Malaysia is backed up by figures. Out of Malaysia's total medical tourism receipts in 2009 of RM288 million, Penang contributed RM 164 million or 57%. In 2010 out of Malaysia's total medical tourism receipts in 2010 of RM 336 million, Penang contributed RM 218 million or 66%.

The Hotel Resort Insider in 2010, named Malaysia as one of the top five medical tourism destinations in the world. The healthcare services provided in Malaysia, which cover a full and extended range of secondary and tertiary medical specialities are of equal standards but comparatively cheaper than in the U.S., Europe and other developed nations.

Penang is more than one-and-a-half times the size of Singapore, with a population of 1.6 million or 30% of Singapore's population. Penang has more than ten private hospitals but seven speciality hospitals stand out. These seven hospitals have formed a consortium among themselves to jointly promote medical tourism in Penang.

Calling themselves the Penang Health Association, these hospitals portray a distinct uniqueness of commonality in purpose. Although they are separate business entities they are compatriots in promoting Penang as the destination of choice for medical tourism.

The people in Penang are known for their prudence with resources, be it financial or people. The Penang Health Association has adopted these qualities and has been promoting Penang as a medical hub rather than promoting their individual hospital to potential patients from within the ASEAN region. They have been participating in road shows and exhibitions outside Malaysia as Penang Health Association as an affordable and quality healthcare destination.

Taking cognizance of the efforts of these players in healthcare services in Penang, it is my aspiration to develop and promote Penang as the Medical City for the Region. As a Medical City, not only medical or healthcare services are provided but it also entails an extensive dimension of services, beginning from:

• Arrival at Penang International Airport or any other entry point;

• Airport transfer to / from the hospital for the patient and lodging for the patient's family

• Treatment in the hospital

• Transportation for patient's family to daily hospital visits

• (Tour packages for patient's family

• Recuperation or convalescence either in the hospital or at a local lodging

• Post treatment services

In order to provide a complete and interdependence range of services, a coopetition (cooperative competition) approach is adopted to involve all related entities of the services industry. This means that the various sectors of the services industry such as

• operators of tour & travel trade

• hospitals

• operators of hotels, service apartments and other lodgings

• transport operators

• restaurants and food caterers

• other related services providers have to pool their resources to make the Medical City concept a reality.

I am confident that the players in the services industry will response positively to the initiative of developing and promoting Penang as the Medical City for the reason that the success of the Medical City will translate to profitability for them.

As a Medical City, patients from within ASEAN and further afield will be able to come to Penang to seek a holistic and cost-effective healthcare. The holistic healthcare approach fosters a cooperative relationship among all those who are involved, thus leading towards the best possible attainment of the physical, mental, emotional, social as well as spiritual aspects of health. The holistic approach is consistent with the rising demand for a wider extent of healthcare, which include not only curing illnesses but also encompasses education and responsibility for personal efforts towards achieving balance and well being.

We certainly welcome Singapore's assistance in contributing to the growth of the healthcare sector in Penang and I look forward to the day that healthcare services in Penang will be sought after by patients outside ASEAN.

*Lim Guan Eng, Penang Chief Minister