Hospitals & Clinics Directory
For ambulance service, dial 999 (or 112 from mobile). You'll be taken to the nearest government hospital A&E. For private hospitals, call their emergency line directly.
Sabah has 24 government hospitals, 5 private hospitals, and hundreds of clinics across its 26 districts. Government hospitals are your go-to for emergencies and affordable care. Private hospitals offer faster service and more comfortable facilities at higher prices.
Find by District
Select a district to see all healthcare facilities in that area. The nearest hospitals for each district are listed with direct-call phone numbers.
Choose a district above to see the nearest hospitals and clinics.
Government Hospitals
Government hospitals provide A&E (Accident & Emergency), inpatient wards, specialist clinics, and outpatient services. Foreigners pay non-citizen rates but costs remain affordable compared to private hospitals.
West Coast Division
Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QE)
GovernmentMain referral hospital for Sabah. Full A&E, all specialist departments including cardiac, oncology, nephrology. Teaching hospital affiliated with UMS. Busiest hospital in the state — expect wait times.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital II (QE2)
GovernmentNewer facility. Cardiac centre, specialist clinics, oncology day care. Less crowded than QE. Handles referred cases and scheduled specialist appointments.
Hospital Penampang
GovernmentDistrict hospital serving Penampang and Putatan. A&E, maternity, general wards. 15 minutes from KK city centre.
Hospital Papar
GovernmentDistrict hospital. A&E, general medicine, paediatrics, maternity. About 35km south of KK.
Hospital Tuaran
GovernmentDistrict hospital serving Tuaran district. General services, A&E. About 33km north of KK.
Hospital Beaufort
GovernmentDistrict hospital for the Interior Division south. A&E, general wards, maternity.
Hospital Sipitang
GovernmentServes Sipitang district near the Brunei/Sarawak border. Basic A&E and general services.
East Coast & Sandakan Division
Duchess of Kent Hospital
GovernmentMain government hospital for Sandakan division. Full A&E, specialist departments, maternity. Referral hospital for east coast districts. Also known as Hospital Wanita dan Kanak-Kanak Sabah (Women & Children).
Hospital Kinabatangan
GovernmentServes the Kinabatangan district including wildlife lodge areas along the Kinabatangan River.
Hospital Beluran
GovernmentDistrict hospital. Basic services — serious cases are referred to Sandakan.
Tawau Division
Hospital Tawau
GovernmentMain hospital for Tawau division. Full A&E, specialist services, maternity. Referral hospital for Semporna, Kunak, and Lahad Datu.
Hospital Lahad Datu
GovernmentDistrict hospital with A&E. Serves Lahad Datu and Danum Valley area visitors.
Hospital Semporna
GovernmentDistrict hospital for Semporna — gateway to Sipadan and Mabul islands. Basic A&E; serious diving emergencies are transferred to Tawau or KK.
Hospital Kunak
GovernmentSmall district hospital. Basic services — complex cases referred to Tawau Hospital.
Interior Division & North
Hospital Keningau
GovernmentMain hospital for the Interior Division. Full A&E, specialist clinics. Serves Keningau, Tambunan, Tenom, Nabawan.
Hospital Ranau
GovernmentNearest hospital for Mount Kinabalu climbers and Kundasang visitors. Basic A&E. Serious altitude sickness or trauma cases transferred to KK.
Hospital Kudat
GovernmentServes the Tip of Borneo area and northern districts. A&E and general services.
Hospital Kota Belud
GovernmentDistrict hospital. General services, A&E. Serves the Tamu (weekly market) area.
Hospital Kota Marudu
GovernmentNorthern district hospital. Basic A&E and general services.
Hospital Tambunan
GovernmentInterior district hospital. Basic services — complex cases referred to Keningau.
Hospital Tenom
GovernmentSmall district hospital in the Padas Valley. Basic A&E and general services.
Private Hospitals
Private hospitals offer shorter wait times, newer facilities, and more comfortable rooms. They accept some international insurance policies for cashless admission. All private hospitals in Sabah are in Kota Kinabalu.
Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu
PrivatePremium private hospital under IHH Healthcare. Best for: International patients, health screening packages, air ambulance service. Has international patient coordinator. Accepts cashless insurance from major providers including Allianz, AXA, and AIA.
KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital
PrivatePart of KPJ Healthcare network (Malaysia's largest private hospital group). Wide range of specialist departments. Moderately priced compared to Gleneagles.
Jesselton Medical Centre (JMC)
PrivateMid-range private hospital. Good reputation for orthopaedics and general surgery. Newer facility with modern equipment.
Sabah Medical Centre (SMC)
PrivateOne of KK's long-established private hospitals. General and specialist services. Known for maternity services.
Borneo Medical Centre Sandakan
PrivateOnly private hospital in Sandakan. General and specialist services.
Specialist Clinics
For non-emergency specialist consultations, these clinics in KK are well-regarded. Most require appointments — call ahead or book online.
| Clinic | Specialty | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kota Kinabalu Eye Specialist Centre | Ophthalmology, LASIK | Luyang, KK | 088-232 323 |
| Damai Specialist Centre | Multi-specialist | Luyang, KK | 088-251 888 |
| Polyclinic Bundusan | General practice, blood tests | Penampang | 088-727 111 |
24-Hour Pharmacies
There are no dedicated 24-hour retail pharmacies in Sabah. For after-hours medication needs, here are your options:
| Option | Hours | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital pharmacies (QE, QE2) | 24/7 (for patients) | KK |
| Gleneagles pharmacy | 24/7 (for patients) | KK |
| Guardian (Imago Mall) | 10am–10pm | KK Waterfront |
| Watsons (Centre Point) | 10am–9:30pm | KK City Centre |
| Caring Pharmacy (Suria Sabah) | 10am–9:30pm | KK Waterfront |
If you're heading to remote areas (Kinabatangan, Danum Valley, islands), stock up on medications in KK first. Rural areas have limited pharmacy options. Bring: painkillers, anti-diarrhea meds, insect repellent, and any prescription medications you need.
Dental Clinics
Dental care in Sabah is affordable by international standards. Dental tourism is growing — implants and cosmetic dentistry can be 40–60% cheaper than in Australia or Singapore.
| Clinic | Location | Phone | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial Dental Specialist Centre | Damai, KK | 088-232 780 | Implants, orthodontics, cosmetic |
| Klinik Pergigian Smile (KK) | Luyang, KK | 088-260 262 | General & cosmetic dentistry |
| Government dental clinics | All districts | Via hospital | Very affordable — RM1 per visit for citizens, RM10–30 for foreigners |
Healthcare Tips for Tourists
Get Travel Insurance
Coverage of at least RM100,000 medical + RM500,000 evacuation is recommended. Some private hospitals offer cashless admission with major insurers.
Bring Prescriptions
Bring enough of your regular medications for the entire trip plus extras. Have a doctor's letter for controlled substances.
Check Vaccinations
Hepatitis A&B, Typhoid recommended. Consult a travel doctor 4–6 weeks before your trip. No mandatory vaccines required (unless from Yellow Fever area).
Save Hospital Numbers
Save QE Hospital (088-517 555) and your nearest hospital in your phone contacts before you need them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q Can tourists use government hospitals in Sabah?
Yes. Foreign visitors can use government hospitals, but will be charged at non-citizen rates which are higher than local rates (though still much cheaper than private hospitals). A basic government outpatient visit costs around RM40–80 for foreigners, compared to RM1–5 for citizens.
Bring your passport and travel insurance documents. Government hospitals do not accept foreign insurance directly — you pay upfront and claim later.
Q Which hospital should I go to in an emergency?
Call 999 and the ambulance will take you to the nearest government hospital with A&E. If you have a choice:
- Government hospital (QE/QE2) — Cheaper. Handles trauma, serious emergencies. Can be crowded.
- Private hospital (Gleneagles/KPJ) — Faster service, more comfortable. Accepts cashless insurance from some providers. Significantly more expensive.
For life-threatening emergencies, always go to the nearest hospital regardless of type.
Q How much does a hospital visit cost in Sabah?
Costs vary significantly between government and private facilities:
- Government outpatient (citizen): RM1–5
- Government outpatient (foreigner): RM40–80
- Private GP visit: RM50–150
- Private specialist consultation: RM100–300
- Private hospital room/night: RM200–800+
- Government hospital room/night (foreigner): RM50–150
Private hospitals may require a deposit of RM3,000–10,000 for admission. Travel insurance with at least RM100,000 medical coverage is strongly recommended.
Q Do hospitals in Sabah have English-speaking doctors?
Yes. All doctors in Malaysia complete their medical education in English. Doctors and most nurses in both government and private hospitals speak English fluently. At government hospitals in rural areas, Malay may be more commonly used, but English is understood.
Q Where can I get medicine at night in KK?
The following options are available after hours:
- Guardian Pharmacy (Imago Mall) — Open till 10pm daily
- Watsons (Centre Point) — Open till 9:30pm
- Hospital pharmacies — QE and QE2 hospital pharmacies operate 24/7 for patients
- Gleneagles KK pharmacy — Available 24/7 for registered patients
For after-midnight needs, go directly to a hospital A&E department.
Q Is Sabah good for medical tourism?
Sabah is growing as a medical tourism destination, especially for dental care and health screenings. Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu is the main medical tourism hospital with international patient coordinators and packages for health screenings, dental, and cosmetic procedures.
Common procedures sought by medical tourists: dental implants (40-60% cheaper than Australia/Singapore), health screening packages (from RM600), and minor cosmetic procedures.
Q What vaccinations do I need before visiting Sabah?
No vaccinations are legally required to enter Sabah unless you're arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country. However, the following are recommended:
- Hepatitis A & B — Recommended for all travellers
- Typhoid — If visiting rural areas
- Japanese Encephalitis — If staying in rural areas for extended periods
- Rabies — If you'll be around animals in remote areas
- Routine vaccines — Ensure MMR, tetanus, and diphtheria are up to date
Malaria risk in Sabah is low in urban areas but exists in some rural/jungle regions. Consult your travel doctor 4–6 weeks before departure.
Sources & References 9 sources
Last verified: March 2026