Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) is seeing a growing number of wealthy (T20) and VIP patients seeking treatment at the public hospital, a shift from its long-standing reputation as a healthcare hub for the lower-income (B40) community.
Confidence in public healthcare
Confirming the trend, HKL Director Datuk Dr. Harikrishna KR Nair said the increase in T20 and VIP patients reflects rising confidence in the hospital’s medical expertise and advanced facilities, reported Berita Harian.
People now see the quality of care at HKL. We have over 400 specialists and cutting-edge technology, including robotics and laser systems. That’s why patients from all income groups; B40, M40, even T20 are coming here,” he said.
However, he stressed that all patients are treated equally, regardless of social status.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a Tan Sri or Datuk Seri. Treatment priority is based on medical need and queue order, not titles or wealth. We never let VIPs jump the line,” Dr. Harikrishna emphasised.
Equal access to treatment
HKL, Malaysia’s largest hospital under the Ministry of Health (MOH), serves up to two million patients annually with 2,300 beds across 100 wards. Its staff includes:
- 417 medical specialists
- 896 medical officers
- 446 assistant medical officers
- 3,817 nurses
Despite the rising number of wealthier patients, Dr. Harikrishna assured that low-income (B40) patients continue to receive priority in treatment and services.
Why patients are switching from private to public hospitals
Dr. Harikrishna revealed that many T20 and VIP patients switch to HKL for two main reasons:
- Insurance coverage limits — Some patients exceed their insurance claim limits for private hospital treatments.
- Specialist referrals — Certain complex cases require specialised expertise only available at HKL.
“This trend has been growing over the last 10 years, largely due to rising medical costs and insurance limits,” he explained.
Advanced medical facilities and popular services
HKL also offers first-, second-, and third-class wards to accommodate patients based on availability and payment preferences.
Among the services most sought after by middle- and high-income patients are:
- Oncology treatments, supported by a dedicated radiology and oncology facility
- Robotic surgery from the Urology Department, available only at HKL and Johor hospitals
“If T20 patients want to pay for first-class wards and the rooms are available, we have no issue admitting them. But in terms of medical treatment, everyone is equal,” Dr. Harikrishna said.
