Melaka: Two new private hospitals, Putra Specialist Hospital 2 and Brain and Spine Hospital, are set to be constructed on a 9.99-hectare site in Ayer Keroh, with a combined construction cost of RM678 million. Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh announced that the hospitals are expected to be completed by 2029, contributing significantly to the state's health tourism.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the development of these hospitals in the area known as Kota Kesihatan, or Health City, aims to cater to the growing number of medical tourists visiting Melaka. Ab Rauf highlighted that more than 10,000 visitors, including those from neighboring countries across the Straits of Melaka, come to the state for medical treatment, indicating robust growth in the health tourism sector.

The addition of these two hospitals will bring the total number of private hospitals in Melaka to six. This expansion reflects the state's strong economic growth in healthcare, enabling it to offer specialized medical services to a broader audience. The announcement was made during a groundbreaking ceremony for the projects, where Ab Rauf also witnessed the exchange of two Memoranda of Understanding between Melaka Corporation (MCorp), the project owner, and the appointed hospital operators.

Additionally, a Letter of Intent was presented to MRCB Builders Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB), detailing the project's design-and-build scope. Ab Rauf emphasized that Kota Kesihatan will also feature residences, hotels, and a business center to complement the healthcare facilities and support the overall development of the area.