PRINCE COURT MEDICAL CENTRE claims top honours at Healthcare Asia Awards 2026

The hospital performed Malaysia’s first Kelly procedure for bladder exstrophy and removed a rare 10 kg phyllodes breast tumour through multidisciplinary surgery.

PRINCE COURT MEDICAL CENTRE  received the Clinical Service Initiative of the Year - Malaysia and Medical Tourism Hospital of the Year - Malaysia titles at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2026 for the fourth consecutive year. The recognition reflected two clinical milestones in complex surgery and the hospital’s continued work in world-class care for international patients.

Advancing complex surgical care

One of the initiatives involved Malaysia’s first Kelly procedure, an advanced reconstructive surgery used to treat bladder exstrophy, a rare congenital urological condition affecting approximately one in 40,000 newborns. The case involved a two-year-old patient from Indonesia and was led by Consultant Urologist Dr Roger Anthony Idi in collaboration with paediatric urology specialist Professor Imran Mushtaq.

The Kelly procedure reconstructs the bladder neck using the patient’s own tissue to improve bladder control and urinary function. The surgery expanded access to specialised paediatric urological treatment locally and supported knowledge sharing between local specialists and international expertise.

Another complex case involved the removal of a 10 kg phyllodes breast tumour from a 27-year-old patient from Timor-Leste. Phyllodes tumours account for around 1% of breast tumours globally and are known for rapid growth, which can complicate surgical management.

A multidisciplinary team led by Consultant Breast and Oncoplastic Surgeon Dr Melissa Tan, Consultant Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Dr Kenneth Kok, and Consultant Haematologist Dr Muhd Zanapiah Zakaria carried out the four-hour operation. The surgery removed the tumour and addressed the physical limitations the patient experienced due to its size.

Strengthening international healthcare services

International patient services also expanded through targeted outreach to the Maldives, Timor-Leste, Oman, and China. These efforts contributed to a 10% increase in international patient referrals from 2024 to 2025, reflecting growing demand for cross-border healthcare coordination.

The hospital also served as the Official Healthcare Provider for the Manchester United versus ASEAN All Stars match, a regional sporting event that required medical support for athletes and international teams. It was also appointed the official referral hospital for the 47th ASEAN Summit, providing medical readiness for heads of state, government officials, and international delegations.

Healthcare Asia Awards is an awards programme focused on acknowledging exceptional hospitals across Asia that redefine the standards of excellence in the healthcare industry. It proudly shines a spotlight on Asian hospitals that consistently go beyond conventional boundaries to provide top-tier patient care and have a lasting impact on their local 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].