IPOH: The state government plans to increase the number of hospital beds and bring in more international flights to boost medical tourism here for Visit Perak Year 2024.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said more hospitals are expected to be opened here namely the Social Security Organisation (Socso) Neuro-Robotics Rehabilitation and Cybernics Centre; Seri Botani Hospital and Sunway Medical Center.
"Health tourism is one of the important sectors to attract more people to visit the state. So having some improvements or new products, will directly attract more patients outside Ipoh to come here to get treatment.
"I believe from time to time, we will improve our medical treatment services. One of the ways is by having more hospital beds.
Saarani said currently Penang attracted more Indonesians seeking treatment as they had more hospital beds, specialists, and flight availability.
He said this in a press conference after launching the KPJ Ipoh Stroke Centre at the KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital here today. Also present was KPJ Healthcare Berhad president and managing director, Chin Keat Chyuan.
Meanwhile, Chin added that for a long-term plan, KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital is expected to increase hospital beds from 120 to150 units.
"As of today we have 276 beds and for the immediate plan, we will add another 16 beds next year.
"We trust Perak will be able to shine in the health tourism hub and more and more players will come to this state and it will bring a lot of benefits to the people here," he added.
The KPJ Ipoh Stroke Centre provides comprehensive treatment, including emergency care, complete ICU services, intensive ward care and rehabilitation procedures.
All existing facilities and treatments are supported by senior consultants specialising in neurology, neurological surgery, emergency and trauma, and interventional radiology, available 24 hours per day.