Kuching Specialist Hospital honoured with Specialty Hospital of the Year (Orthopaedics) - Malaysia at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2026

It completed over 1,100 robotic-assisted procedures, delivering precise, patient-centred outcomes and faster recovery.

Kuching Specialist Hospital has been recognised with the Specialty Hospital of the Year (Orthopaedics) - Malaysia at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2026, celebrating its achievements in orthopaedic care, the success of its robotic-assisted total knee replacement programme, and its continued surgical growth.

The orthopaedic service is spearheaded by resident consultants Dr Lee Woo Guan and Dr Nazari Ahmad Tarmuzi, who provide comprehensive care for degenerative joint conditions, trauma and fractures, sports injuries, and minimally invasive procedures. Their work is supported by a multidisciplinary care team focused on tailored treatment planning, postoperative rehabilitation, and long-term mobility restoration.

A major milestone in the hospital’s development is the expansion of its Total Knee Replacement (TKR) programme. Robotic-assisted surgery was first introduced in 2023 using the ROSA® Knee System by Zimmer Biomet and later enhanced with the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution. These technologies offer real-time intra-operative insights, advanced pre-operative planning, and precision guidance to optimise implant positioning for each patient.

As of July 2025, the hospital had completed 1,111 robotic-assisted total knee replacement surgeries. In 2025 alone, 592 TKR packages were recorded—an increase of 218 cases compared to 2024. The landmark 1,111th robotic-assisted surgery also attracted attention from both local and international media.

Patient outcomes remain at the heart of the hospital’s orthopaedic success. One notable case is Ibu Otty Dewiyanti Budiarto, a 79-year-old patient who sustained a hip fracture in Jakarta. After being transported to Kuching via air ambulance, she underwent surgery under Dr Lee’s care and was able to stand the following morning. Within just three days of rehabilitation, she regained strength and balance through an anterior surgical approach that enabled faster mobilisation and a shorter recovery period. She expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying: “From the bottom of my heart, I thank Dr Lee for giving me back my strength and independence.”

The Healthcare Asia Awards recognises hospitals across the region that exemplify excellence and push the boundaries of patient care. It highlights institutions that consistently deliver high-quality services and create meaningful impact within their communities.

The Healthcare Asia Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be acclaimed for your organisation's remarkable initiatives and contributions to the healthcare industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at [email protected].