AdminMalaysia’s growing private healthcare sector and its expanding role in regional medical tourism are expected to underpin International Healthcare Week (IHW) 2027, which will take place from July 13 to 15 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.
Informa Markets announced the event at a press conference, with the 2027 edition marking the second time IHW will be held in Malaysia. The organiser is working with the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) as Strategic Partner.
IHW 2027 is intended to bring together healthcare manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and investors from Malaysia and across Southeast Asia, covering areas ranging from pharmaceuticals and medical technology to hospital solutions and healthcare innovation.
The event comes as Malaysia’s private healthcare market is projected to expand from about RM74 billion in 2022 to RM158 billion by 2029, according to Frost & Sullivan. The forecast represents an 11.4% compound annual growth rate, with an ageing population, increasing chronic disease and demand for private healthcare among the factors contributing to the projected expansion.
Private hospital capacity is also forecast to reach approximately 23,500 beds by 2028, with investment expected across areas including oncology, cardiology, day surgery, diagnostics, digital health and aged care.
Three healthcare exhibitions under one roof
Regional healthcare demand is another factor shaping the outlook. Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) data showed healthcare travel revenue reached RM3.35 billion in 2025, more than double its pre-pandemic level, while Indonesia accounted for 66% of the revenue.
For companies supplying the healthcare sector, the broader ASEAN market, with more than 680 million consumers, represents potential demand for pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare solutions.
“Malaysia’s healthcare market is rapidly growing fast, and the opportunity reaches well beyond its borders,” said Rungphech Chitanuwat, Regional Portfolio Director – ASEAN, Informa Markets.
“International Healthcare Week was created to support the growth of Southeast Asia’s healthcare industry, and we are proud to bring it to Malaysia for the second time,” she said.
IHW 2027 will combine three exhibitions — CPHI South East Asia, World Health Expo (WHX) Kuala Lumpur and Medtec Southeast Asia — under one roof.
The three events are intended to cover different parts of the healthcare supply chain. CPHI South East Asia will focus on pharmaceutical manufacturers, suppliers of ingredients, contract manufacturing and packaging, while WHX Kuala Lumpur will connect hospital buyers and distributors with medical equipment and healthcare solution providers.
Medtec Southeast Asia will focus on the medical device supply chain, including areas linked to manufacturing and technology.
MATRADE to support exporter connections
The collaboration with MATRADE is expected to provide Malaysian healthcare companies, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with access to international buyers, investors and potential business partners.
As Malaysia’s national trade promotion agency under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), MATRADE brings its overseas trade office network and business-matching expertise to the partnership.
“Healthcare is one of Malaysia’s most promising export sectors,” said MATRADE Chief Executive Officer YBhg. Dato’ Indera Abu Bakar Yusof.
“International Healthcare Week 2027 gives our exporters and MSMEs a direct platform to meet international buyers and form new partnerships,” he said.
Yusof said the range of components represented at IHW 2027 could support supply-chain resilience, adding that MATRADE viewed the event as an ecosystem marketplace rather than solely an exhibition.
The event is scheduled to take place from July 13 to 15, 2027, at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur.
More information is available at International Healthcare Week and MATRADE.
Jimmy Tan
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