Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) has climbed to #226 globally in Newsweek’s World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2027 ranking, retaining its position as the No. 1 hospital in Malaysia. The hospital was placed #313 in the 2026 edition, making this a jump of 87 places in a single year.
Compiled by Newsweek and Statista, the annual benchmark recognises 410 hospitals across 33 countries for how well they adopt and integrate smart medical technologies, from artificial intelligence and robotics to digital patient services.
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Why Sunway Medical Centre’s No. 1 Ranking Matters
Dato’ Lau Beng Long, President of Sunway Healthcare Group (SHG), said the recognition reflects the group’s long-term commitment to excellence in infrastructure development as well as clinical and service capabilities, built on innovative solutions.
“These priorities underpin our ambition to build an integrated healthcare ecosystem that will help to further spearhead the future growth of quality medical services in Malaysia and the region,” he said.
Erica Lam, Chief Executive Officer of SMC, added that technology matters when it improves patient care and hospital operations. “Our focus is on using digital capabilities to strengthen patient safety, improve efficiency and deliver a better patient experience. While we welcome this recognition, what matters most is the real difference these capabilities make to our patients and how we deliver care,” she said.
Automation From the Pharmacy to the Operating Theatre
SMC has been steadily expanding its use of advanced diagnostic, surgical and operational automation systems across multiple specialities. In the pharmacy, the Outpatient Pharmacy Automation System (OPAS) and Inpatient Pharmacy Automation System (IPAS) streamline medication dispensing, supporting both operational efficiency and patient safety.
In the operating theatre, robotic-assisted surgical systems support precision in procedures ranging from minimally invasive surgery to joint replacement and spine surgery. The hospital’s robotic line-up includes the AiBLE™ Spine Surgical Suite, da Vinci Xi surgical system, Mako SmartRobotics, ROSA Knee System and VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution, all aimed at supporting patient recovery.
AI Imaging and Malaysia’s First Photon-Counting CT Scanner
Sunway Medical Centre is also home to the country’s first photon-counting CT scanner. The system incorporates artificial intelligence to automate clinical workflows, optimise radiation doses and process complex image data, enabling high-resolution imaging with lower radiation exposure.
AI-assisted imaging now extends across MRI, CT, ultrasound and intraoperative 3D imaging. The hospital also uses AI applications for chest X-ray analysis, radiotherapy planning and polyp detection during endoscopy.
Digital Care Through SunMed GO and Real-Time Data
Behind the scenes, a cloud-based Hospital Information System and Electronic Medical Record give clinicians real-time patient information. Patients, meanwhile, can manage appointments, complete pre-registration, and view queue status, medical reports and e-receipts through the SunMed GO app.
Operationally, data analytics and real-time tracking support workflow efficiency at Sunway Medical Centre, including room turnarounds and discharge processes.
How the World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2027 Ranking Works
The World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2027 ranking is based on a comprehensive international survey of healthcare professionals, combined with the Statista Smart Hospitals Digital Maturity Survey and national and international digital healthcare accreditations.
SMC also featured in the 2026 edition of the smart hospitals list. Separately, it has been ranked among Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals (Top 250) for three consecutive years since 2024, as well as in the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2027.
Capacity and Care Standards at Sunway Medical Centre
As Malaysia’s largest private quaternary hospital and SHG’s flagship, Sunway Medical Centre operates 961 licensed beds across 28 Centres of Excellence, with plans to exceed 1,000 beds in the near future. It is supported by more than 4,000 healthcare and hospitality professionals.
SMC is Malaysia’s first private hospital to hold three hospital-wide accreditations: the Joint Commission International (JCI) Gold Seal of Approval from the United States, the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) International, and the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH).
Its Centres of Excellence span oncology, women and children, neuroscience, heart and lung, bone and joint, robotic surgery and minimally invasive surgery, and digestive health. Earlier this year, Sunway Medical Centre was also recognised as Malaysia’s leader in paediatrics.
For more information on the hospital’s services and smart healthcare capabilities, visit www.sunwaymedical.com.
