by AKMAR ANNUAR
RADIUM Development Bhd has made its entry into Malaysia’s healthcare sector with its inaugural medical facility, Radium Hospital @ Ayer Keroh.
The launch marks a significant expansion of the group’s diversification strategy beyond property development.
It will be managed under a new subsidiary, Radium Healthcare Sdn Bhd. According to the developer, the facility was formerly known as A Famosa Specialist Hospital.
Strategically located near the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), it sits 12km from the city centre.
The hospital is positioned to serve communities in tier-two towns with accessible, quality medical services. The initiative is in line with its commitment to improving lives beyond housing.
Group MD Datuk Gary Gan said the move into healthcare aligns with the company’s ‘Building Good’ philosophy.
“As a brand built on the belief of ‘Building Good’, our venture into healthcare is a natural extension of our mission to serve Malaysians from all walks of life,” he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR) during the launch on Tuesday.
Slated to begin operations in the first half of 2028, the hospital will serve as the centrepiece of Radium Centricity, a health and wellness-focused mixed development.
This broader township will include residential and commercial elements that support and complement the hospital.
The facility will offer specialised services in traumatology, cardiology, infertility and neonatology.
These areas were chosen based on Melaka’s current healthcare demands, including highway trauma, chronic heart conditions and reproductive challenges.
Radium said its model emphasises a patient-first approach supported by modern technology and best clinical practices.
CEO Dr Arun Kumar said the hospital is the first step in building a network of ethical, community-focused hospitals.
“Our vision is to create a healthcare system that is inclusive, ethical, and adaptable,” he shared with TMR.
He said Radium Healthcare will focus on affordability while maintaining high clinical standards.
The group is adopting an asset-light approach using internal funding, strategic borrowings and cost-saving measures.
Continuous investments will be made in medical technology, safety protocols and MSQH accreditation.
Radium is also developing partnerships with local companies and non-governmental organisations to expand its reach.
Its healthcare business will be led by M Life Healthcare Sdn Bhd under Arun’s leadership.
Radium believes Arun’s industry experience will position the group as a strong private healthcare player in Malaysia.
During a strategy meeting, the group said the hospital would complement its property development business.
Gan said healthcare is a resilient sector that offers recurring income and supports future township developments.
He added that Radium is interested in embedding healthcare into larger projects to improve community services.
The hospital’s location was chosen to serve local communities while tapping into Melaka’s growing medical tourism.
Last year, Malaysia received around 800,000 Indonesian tourists, with 300,000 visiting Melaka.
Gan said while the hospital welcomes foreign patients, its main focus will remain on local residents.
Radium expects the facility to break even by its fourth year of operation. Arun said being a new facility allows the hospital to adopt the latest biomedical technologies from the start.
He noted that medical equipment evolves rapidly, and the hospital’s new infrastructure will allow it to remain competitive.
He also emphasised a patient-centric experience where each visitor receives consistent care from entry to discharge.
“In many cases, that personal touch gets lost when healthcare groups expand too fast. We want every staff member, from doctors to cleaners, to prioritise the patient’s overall experience,” he said.
Arun added that improved access to affordable medical technology, especially from Asian manufacturers, allows them to keep costs low without sacrificing quality.
This pricing strategy, he said, prevents the cost burden from falling on patients or insurance companies.
Radium Healthcare aims to serve both the B40 and M40 groups by offering affordable care with strong clinical governance.
Arun said the private sector should not cater only to the T20 and that quality services should be accessible to more Malaysians. He added that easing the burden on public hospitals by serving the M40 would already be a major achievement.
In the long term, Radium hopes to embed healthcare elements into future residential projects.
Gan said this approach would create healthier townships and strengthen the company’s mixed-use development offerings.
While Radium Hospital @ Ayer Keroh is the company’s first medical project, it is unlikely to be the last.
Gan said the company is evaluating the potential to replicate the model in other tier-two towns.
“This is not a one-off venture. If this model proves successful, we are prepared to scale up and replicate it across the country,” he said.
The hospital aligns with government objectives to improve access to quality healthcare beyond urban areas.
Arun remarked the goal is to become the most preferred healthcare provider in the communities they serve.
“If we are embraced by the people, then we know we’ve done something right,” he said.
The group has outlined a plan to finalise the construction timeline, develop a marketing strategy, and monitor operating costs.
These efforts aim to ensure Radium Hospital remains affordable, efficient and community-oriented as it heads toward completion in 2028.
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