Malaysia’s specialised healthcare sector is gaining greater international visibility, with Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City (SMC) making its first appearance in Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2027 ranking.
SMC was ranked No. 1 in Malaysia for Paediatrics, with oncology also recognised as a standout treatment within the specialty. The recognition comes as the hospital expands its children’s healthcare capacity through a new dedicated facility.
Photo: The recognition comes as SMC strengthens its paediatric services with the opening of Tower F, its dedicated Children’s Tower, offering comprehensive and specialised care for children.
New Children’s Tower Expands Paediatric Care
The development coincides with the opening of Tower F, SMC’s purpose-built 216-bed Children’s Tower.
Rather than separating different stages of treatment across facilities, the tower brings paediatric services into a more integrated setting. These include paediatric haematology and oncology, supported by multidisciplinary medical teams.
SMC also operates a Children’s Health and Development Centre covering a range of paediatric subspecialties.
For families needing urgent care, the hospital has a dedicated 24-hour Children’s Walk-in & Emergency Department, which SMC says was the first of its kind in a Malaysian private hospital. This is supported by a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and specialised inpatient wards.
Photo: Tower F further enhances SMC’s paediatric services, providing integrated care alongside dedicated facilities including specialised inpatient wards, PICU and Malaysia’s private hospital’s first dedicated Children’s Emergency Department.
Designed Around Children and Families
Hospital care can be particularly stressful for young patients. Tower F has therefore been designed around a child- and family-centred approach.
The facility includes age-appropriate furnishings, colourful environments and views of surrounding green spaces and attractions. The aim is to create a setting that considers both clinical needs and the wider experience of children and their families.
Dato’ Lau Beng Long, President of Sunway Healthcare Group, said the ranking reflects progress in specialised services including paediatrics, oncology and neurology.
He noted that the Children’s Tower brings several paediatric subspecialties together within one facility, helping the hospital provide more coordinated care.
Photo: Tower F is thoughtfully designed with a child and family-centred approach, featuring age-appropriate furnishings and vibrant, child-friendly spaces for a comfortable environment.
Wider Recognition for Specialised Healthcare
Paediatrics was not SMC’s only area recognised in the 2027 ranking. The hospital was also ranked No. 1 in Malaysia for Neurology and received a high ranking for Oncology.
The latest result follows SMC’s inclusion for four consecutive years in Newsweek’s Best Specialized Hospitals Asia Pacific rankings. In the 2026 edition, it received recognition across eight specialties.
SMC was also ranked No. 1 in Malaysia in Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals rankings in 2025 and 2026, according to information provided by the hospital.
The World’s Best Specialized Hospitals 2027 assessment considers international peer recommendations, specialty-specific accreditations and certifications, as well as the implementation of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.
Photo: Bird-eye view of Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City.
Growing Capacity for Complex Healthcare Needs
The expansion has a broader healthcare capacity angle for Malaysia.
Following the opening of Tower F, SMC now has 961 licensed beds. The hospital has more than 300 resident medical consultants working across 80 medical specialties and 28 Centres of Excellence.
It also holds hospital-wide accreditations from the Joint Commission International, Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International and Malaysian Society for Quality in Health.
These investments matter as healthcare providers respond to growing demand for specialised treatment. Building more dedicated facilities can also help Malaysia strengthen its capacity to manage complex cases locally.
What This Means for Malaysia’s Healthcare Development
For patients and families, specialised paediatric infrastructure can make access to diagnosis, emergency treatment and longer-term care more coordinated.
For Malaysia’s healthcare sector, the development also reflects continued investment in higher-complexity medical services. SMC states that it plans to expand beyond its current 961 licensed beds to more than 1,100 beds over time.
The Children’s Tower adds another layer to that growth, with infrastructure specifically designed around younger patients rather than simply adapting general hospital facilities.
As Malaysia develops its healthcare capacity, investment in specialised services, trained medical teams and patient-focused facilities will remain important. SMC’s latest expansion shows how private healthcare providers are adding capacity while building deeper expertise in areas such as paediatrics.
