THE Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) is aggressively promoting the northern region as a leading healthcare hub and a destination for medical tourism.

NCIA chief executive officer Datuk Redza Rafiq said the authority was working closely with hospitals in the region to be recognised by internationally certified healthcare professionals.

“NCIA’s wellness initiative is thus reinforced in developing new destinations and services for recuperation villages, resort and health spas and rehabilitation centres,” said Redza in his speech at the Adventist Medical Centre (AMC) rebranding ceremony at Burmah Road, Penang, recently.

His speech was read out by NCIA tourism division head Muhammad Zaki Mohd Saman.

Redza said the efforts involve providing job opportunities for the local community in the medical field, while enhancing patient care experience through better nursing care.

“The initiative also supports additional specialised medical services and state-of-the-art medical technology that will improve the overall healthcare industry in the region,” he said.

He added that the integration of Penang Adventist Hospital and AMC augured well for the northern region, as NCIA could now leverage on the platform to promote and market healthcare services to medical tourists from neighbouring countries.

AMC director Tan Khoon Seng said the amalgamation of AMC (formerly known as Tanjung Medical Centre) and Penang Adventist Hospital, which has become ‘One Hospital with Two Campuses’, would bring about changes and opportunities for healthcare.

“It will further improve clinical quality and services to the communities they serve and decrease cost through shared efficiencies,” said Tan.

He also said the AMC was refurbished at a cost of RM8mil and has new upgraded equipment and facilities, which include three operating theatres, Intensive Care Unit, Labour Room and Recovery Bays-cum-Day Care unit.

Also present were the hospital’s chief executive officer Dr Wesley Toh and AMC chief Dr Raymond Tah.

Source: The Star