Icon Sunsuria set to open its first Cancer Centre in Island Hospital

PENANG: Icon Sunsuria Sdn Bhd has joined forces with Island Hospital to establish their first cancer center in Malaysia, anticipated to open in early 2024.

This partnership brings together Icon Sunsuria’s expertise in oncology with Island Hospital’s prominent reputation as one of Malaysia’s largest private hospitals and a renowned destination for medical tourism. The objective is to provide patients with access to top-notch cancer care.

In attendance at the signing ceremony were Icon ASEAN and Hong Kong CEO Serena Wee, Island Hospital CEO Mark Wee, Sunsuria Bhd founder and executive chairman Tan Sri Ter Leong Yap, and Island Hospital chief of staff Lim Kooi Ling.

This collaboration follows the recent joint venture between Sunsuria Healthcare and Icon Cancer Centre Singapore, resulting in the establishment of Icon Sunsuria.

By combining Icon Group’s extensive oncology expertise with Sunsuria Healthcare’s knowledge of the local healthcare landscape, the partnership aims to strengthen Island Hospital’s range of medical specialties and facilities. This will ensure that patients, both from Malaysia and the wider region, have access to comprehensive and evidence-based cancer care.

Serena, CEO of Icon Sunsuria, stated that the mission of the collaboration is to make advanced cancer care accessible through a patient-centered approach. The partnership with Island Hospital is seen as a testament to this mission, as it combines Icon Sunsuria’s oncology expertise with a highly respected healthcare institution. The aim is to address the healthcare burden and reduce gaps in cancer care access.

Serena emphasized that the collaboration will provide patients and their families with knowledge and resources to fight cancer and take important steps towards survivorship.

Mark, CEO of Island Hospital, sees this partnership as a commitment to the development of oncology as a pillar of medical excellence within the hospital. By offering a wide range of multidisciplinary cancer treatments supported by cutting-edge equipment, the partnership aims to increase access to patients from the region. Mark also believes that it aligns with the Ministry of Health’s vision of advancing cancer care through public-private partnerships and person-centered care.

Island Hospital, established in 1996 as a 600-bed internationally accredited healthcare institution, is widely recognized as a premier healthcare provider in Malaysia. It has been shortlisted by the Ministry of Health for inclusion in the prestigious Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Programme (FMTH). With an estimated 200,000 health travelers from over 70 countries expected to visit in 2023, the hospital is at the forefront of the industry and plays a crucial role in the Malaysia Healthcare blueprint.

According to Audrey Ooi, CEO of Sunsuria Healthcare, Penang was selected as the location for the first cancer center due to its strategic positioning and well-established reputation as a destination for advanced medical treatment. By establishing the center in Penang, access to high-quality cancer care will be enhanced not only for the northern Malaysian population but also for those in the greater Southeast Asian region.