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Medical Tourism in Kota Kinabalu — Hospitals & Costs

Last updated: 2026-03-10

Hospitals

Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu (Private)

First international tertiary care hospital in KK (established 2015). 180 beds, MSQH certified, designed to JCI standards. Specialties: bariatric surgery, ENT, gastroenterology, oncology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics. International services include doctor appointments, emergency, air evacuation, visa assistance, accommodation coordination, airport transfers, and language interpretation. Targets patients from Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, Korea, and Japan.

KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital (Private)

Opened 2014, 245 beds, part of the KPJ Healthcare Berhad network. Joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network in February 2024. International patients from Indonesia, Brunei, and Philippines. Full 24h emergency, ICU, MRI, CT scan, mammogram. Offers customized health packages combining check-ups with hotel stays.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Public)

Main referral/tertiary centre for Sabah, largest public hospital in KK. 589 beds (QEH 1 + QEH 2 Damai). 24-hour emergency. Specialties: cardiology, oncology, nephrology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics.

Popular Treatments & Savings

Dental

60-85% cheaper than USA, 50-70% cheaper than UK. Single implant: ~RM7,560 (USD1,680) vs USD3,000-6,000. All-on-4: ~RM33,750 (USD7,500)/arch vs USD16,000-30,000. Crown: from ~USD350 vs USD1,600. Extractions: from ~USD20.

Health Screening

General screening: RM200-1,500. Full medical check-up (private): RM600-1,200. Comprehensive package (chest X-ray, ECG, blood work): approximately USD70.

LASIK

Malaysia: RM4,000-8,000/eye (government hospitals RM3,000-5,000, private RM5,000-12,000, premium clinics RM8,000-15,000). Compare to USA: USD1,500-5,000/eye.

Cosmetic Surgery

General range: RM8,000-23,000. Full facelift: RM45,000-90,000. Mini facelift: RM15,000-35,000. Non-surgical (Botox, fillers): RM2,000-10,000/session.

Fertility (IVF)

Average: RM14,000-16,000. Private hospitals: RM18,000-20,000/treatment. Government: RM5,000-10,000 (longer wait). Monash IVF at KPJ: from MYR19,500.

ℹ️ Malaysia Healthcare Market

Malaysia welcomed 1.6 million healthcare travelers in 2024, generating RM2.72 billion in revenue. The medical tourism market is growing from USD1.92 billion (2024) to a projected USD7.54 billion by 2034 (14.6% CAGR). The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) coordinates international patient services nationwide.

Recovery & Medivacation

Private hospitals partner with nearby hotels for discounted recovery rates. Total cost of treatment + flights + accommodation is often cheaper than treatment alone in Western countries. Combine medical procedures with holiday activities — health screenings in the morning, island trips in the afternoon. KPJ Healthcare and Sunway Healthcare offer tailored wellness packages combining check-ups, treatment, accommodation, transport, and recreational activities.

Q How much can I save on dental treatment?

Dental care in Malaysia is 60-85% cheaper than the USA, 50-70% cheaper than the UK, and 70-90% cheaper than Australia. A single implant costs ~RM7,560 (USD1,680) vs USD3,000-6,000 in the West. An All-on-4 runs ~RM33,750 (USD7,500) per arch vs USD16,000-30,000 Western.

Q Do doctors in Sabah speak English?

Yes. Most doctors are fluent in English, with many trained in the UK, USA, or Australia. International-standard hospitals like Gleneagles and KPJ have fully English-speaking teams and dedicated international patient services.

Q Is KPJ Sabah part of the Mayo Clinic network?

Yes. As of February 2024, KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network, giving patients access to Mayo Clinic's expertise through their local KPJ doctors. This is a significant quality endorsement.

Q Can I combine treatment with a holiday?

Absolutely. Private hospitals partner with nearby hotels for discounted recovery rates. Many patients combine health screenings, dental work, or cosmetic procedures with island trips, wildlife tours, and cultural experiences. The total cost (treatment + flights + accommodation + holiday) is often less than treatment alone in Western countries.