TAWAU: A newly opened specialist medical centre here is tapping into medical tourism given its strategic location in the region.
The 120-bed Tawau Specialist Medical Centre, which was officially launched today, is offering state of the art operating theatres, advanced radiology and physio departments.
"With a population of 4.5 million, Sabah has long been a thriving state in East Malaysia that has produced numerous talents and businesses, and contributed significantly towards the overall Gross Domestic Product of the Nation.
"Tawau being the third largest cosmopolitan town in the state, accounts for a significant proportion of the state's population and has been a magnet to attract tourists not just from the Peninsular but also from neighbouring countries," the hospital said in a statement.
Tawau is also strategically at the centre of the 'Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area" region.
Its proximity to the new capital of Indonesia is only about 300-kilometres or 35-minute flight away will further propel the town further into the limelight.
Its chairman Datuk Kour Nam Ngum said the hospital was also for the public.
"Our people who come through our doors are VIPs to us. We will provide the best patient care possible using the best equipment available"
The hospital is having an open day from today for the public to have a glimpse of the medical facilities and meet with the healthcare personnel.