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Medical Tourism in Kota Kinabalu — Hospitals & Planning

Last updated: 7 October 2026

Hospitals

Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu (Private)

Private hospital in the IHH Healthcare group, with its pioneer team starting in 2015. It is accredited by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) and runs 24-hour accident and emergency, a cardiovascular and lung centre, a brain and nerve centre, and a health screening centre (Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu, checked 7 October 2026). Contact the hospital's international patient team for appointments, quotes and help with travel arrangements.

KPJ Sabah Specialist Hospital (Private)

Part of the KPJ Healthcare Berhad network, opened in January 2014 (Sabah State Government, checked 7 October 2026). It is not one of the KPJ hospitals in the Mayo Clinic Care Network, which are KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital and Damansara Specialist Hospital 2 (Mayo Clinic News Network, checked 7 October 2026). Check current services and health screening packages on the KPJ Sabah website.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Public)

Sabah's busiest public hospital and the state's main referral centre (Malay Mail, checked 7 October 2026). It is a government hospital, so most medical travellers use the private hospitals above.

Popular Treatments

The treatments medical travellers most often ask about in Kota Kinabalu are dental work, health screenings, eye surgery such as LASIK, cosmetic procedures and fertility treatment. Prices change often and depend on the hospital, the doctor and what is included, so SabahGuide does not list them. Ask each hospital or clinic for a written quote that states the doctor's fees, hospital charges, medicines and follow-up visits, and compare like with like.

ℹ️ Malaysia Healthcare Market

Malaysia's health tourism industry recorded RM2.72 billion in revenue from more than 1.6 million foreign patients in 2024 (The Sun, checked 7 October 2026). The Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) promotes the industry and lists member hospitals on Malaysia Healthcare.

Recovery & Medivacation

Ask the hospital's international patient team whether they can help with nearby accommodation for your recovery. Plan the holiday part of the trip around your doctor's advice. A health screening can sit alongside a city tour, but surgery may rule out diving, island boats or hiking for a while. Build in spare days in case your follow-up appointment moves.

Q How much can I save on dental treatment?

Prices vary by clinic, materials and the dentist, so ask two or three Kota Kinabalu clinics for a written quote before you book. Compare the quote with what you would pay at home, and add flights and accommodation to get the real saving.

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?

No. The two KPJ hospitals that joined the Mayo Clinic Care Network in February 2024 are KPJ Damansara Specialist Hospital and Damansara Specialist Hospital 2, both in the Klang Valley. KPJ Sabah is a separate hospital in the same group.

Q Can I combine treatment with a holiday?

Yes, as long as your doctor agrees. Many patients combine health screenings or dental work with island trips, wildlife tours and cultural experiences. Ask your doctor how long to wait before flying, diving or hiking after any procedure.