KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s private healthcare market is projected to more than double to RM158 billion by 2029, creating significant opportunities for healthcare companies and suppliers across Southeast Asia.
Against this backdrop, the second edition of International Healthcare Week (IHW) will be held from July 13 to 15, 2027 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) here, Informa Markets announced today.
Organised by Informa Markets with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) as Strategic Partner, IHW 2027 will bring together healthcare manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and investors across the region.
According to Frost & Sullivan, Malaysia’s private healthcare market is expected to grow from approximately RM74 billion in 2022 to RM158 billion by 2029, representing a compound annual growth rate of 11.4 per cent.
The growth is driven by an ageing population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and rising demand for private healthcare services.
Private hospital capacity is also forecast to reach about 23,500 beds by 2028, with investments expected to focus on oncology, cardiology, day surgery, diagnostics, digital health and aged care.
The healthcare travel segment is also contributing to the sector’s growth, with Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) data showing healthcare travel revenue reached RM3.35 billion in 2025, more than double the pre-pandemic level.
Indonesia accounted for 66 per cent of the revenue, while listed healthcare operators IHH Healthcare, KPJ Healthcare and Sunway Healthcare recorded revenue growth of between nine and 21 per cent in their latest reported periods.
The expansion is expected to drive demand for pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare solutions across the ASEAN market, which has more than 680 million consumers.
IHW 2027 will feature three major exhibitions under one roof — CPHI South East Asia, World Health Expo (WHX) Kuala Lumpur and Medtec Southeast Asia — covering the healthcare value chain from pharmaceuticals and ingredients to medical devices, medtech manufacturing and hospital solutions.
Informa Markets Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN Rungphech Chitanuwat said the event was designed to strengthen connections among healthcare businesses across Southeast Asia.
“Malaysia’s healthcare market is growing rapidly, and the opportunity extends well beyond its borders.
“International Healthcare Week was created to support the growth of Southeast Asia’s healthcare industry, and we are proud to bring it to Malaysia for the second time.
“We look forward to serving as a bridge and platform connecting healthcare businesses across the region,” she said.
Chitanuwat said CPHI South East Asia would connect pharmaceutical manufacturers with suppliers of ingredients, contract manufacturing and packaging, while WHX Kuala Lumpur would link hospital buyers and distributors with medical equipment and healthcare solution providers.
Medtec Southeast Asia, meanwhile, would serve the medical device supply chain, she added.
At the press conference, Informa Markets Malaysia and MATRADE also announced their collaboration for IHW 2027.
MATRADE, the national trade promotion agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), will leverage its network of overseas trade offices and business-matching expertise to connect Malaysian healthcare companies, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with international buyers, investors and potential partners.
MATRADE Chief Executive Officer Datuk Indera Abu Bakar Yusof said healthcare was among Malaysia’s promising export sectors.
“International Healthcare Week 2027 provides our exporters and MSMEs with a platform to engage international buyers and establish new partnerships.
“The range of components represented at IHW 2027 will help strengthen supply chain resilience. For MATRADE, this is more than an exhibition; it is a strategic ecosystem marketplace to attract collaborations that can strengthen Malaysia’s position in the global healthcare value chain,” he said.
International Healthcare Week 2027 will be held from July 13 to 15, 2027 at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur.
More information is available at www.inthealthcareweek.com.
—Bernama
