29 July 2025
•2 minute read
Inside Columbia Asia Batu Kawan – Penang’s New Community Hospital
Vital Signs was invited to take a closer look at Columbia Asia Hospital – Batu Kawan and its place within the growing Batu Kawan community.
A Community Beyond the Hospital Walls
The journey began with a tour of the vibrant Batu Kawan township, a lifestyle-driven urban ecosystem flourishing with energy. From the warm breakfast to the enlightening Green Initiative Tour at Olive Tree Hotel, sustainability and smart design were recurring themes.
Lunch at Yusuf Restaurant was followed by a visit to the Aspen Vision City Sales Gallery, where Ir Anilarasu of Aspen Holdings shared how infrastructure and health are being interwoven into Batu Kawan’s DNA. The guided township tour with Janice Lim, Aspen’s Divisional Director, further underlined how healthcare access plays a pivotal role in making this township a hub for families and professionals alike.
The day closed with a beautiful sunset dinner at Tambun Prawn Village and a magical firefly excursion, an experiential reminder that health, wellness, and community connection exist far beyond hospital walls.
Inside Columbia Asia Hospital – Batu Kawan
On the second day, we stepped into the hospital itself, modern, sleek, and deeply grounded in its mission. CEO En Mohd Shafee Awang welcomed us with a vision: to offer high quality care tailored to local needs, while keeping the community spirit at the core of operations.
Strategically positioned, Columbia Asia Hospital Batu Kawan is built to serve the healthcare needs of Batu Kawan and its surrounding areas – Perai, Bukit Tambun, Bukit Tengah, Nibong Tebal, and Parit Buntar ensuring high-quality, affordable care is never out of reach.
The six-storey hospital houses 13 specialist clinics and 4 isolation beds (for infectious disease management and high-risk cases) and is poised to become a vital anchor in the northern healthcare landscape. Further it features a fully equipped 24-hour Emergency Department, designed to handle urgent and critical medical cases promptly and efficiently.
The hospital is also equipped with ambulance and trauma response readiness and on-call access to core specialists. Further, also available is immediate access to radiology and laboratory services to support swift diagnosis and treatment.
As the second multidisciplinary Columbia Asia hospital in the Northern Region and the 19th medical facility in the group across Southeast Asia, its impact is regional and personal.
In Phase 1, the hospital will offer specialities such as Anesthesiology, Cardiology, ENT, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, and Radiology. Plans for Phase 2 will expand into Dermatology, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Urology, marking its trajectory as a fully integrated medical hub.
While Columbia Asia Batu Kawan opened in June 2025, the official launch will take place in October 2025.
During the Q&A session, En Shafee emphasized that while technological advancements like AI can enhance diagnostics, the hospital remains focused on keeping healthcare accessible, especially for a community hospital. However, innovation is not overlooked, a built-in patient feedback system ensures concerns and compliments are addressed almost instantly, closing the gap between patients and providers.
Beyond the Bedside: Healthier Communities Ahead
Columbia Asia Batu Kawan doesn’t just aspire to treat illness, it seeks to foster wellness. The hospital will host community wellness programs and workshops, supporting lifelong habits that promote healthier living.
In an inspiring forward-looking gesture, the hospital is exploring partnerships with local schools and orphanages, opening up avenues for children and youth to learn about health, pursue passions in medical fields, and build critical life skills through exposure and outreach.
A Hospital That Breathes with its People
More than just a building with doctors and nurses, Columbia Asia Hospital – Batu Kawan stands as part of a larger conversation around what healthcare can and should be accessible, sustainable, and responsive.
Surrounded by retail, green zones, and smart infrastructure, the hospital blends into the lifestyle rhythm of Batu Kawan. From eco-enzyme workshops to personalised care systems, every detail reflects a commitment not only to health, but to harmony with people and the environment.
For residents of Penang’s southern corridor and beyond, Columbia Asia Hospital Batu Kawan is not just a new healthcare facility, it’s the heart of a healthier, stronger community.
“This isn’t just another hospital, we built Columbia Asia Batu Kawan for the people who live and work here. We wanted families to feel safe knowing high-quality care is just minutes away.
Whether it’s an emergency, a health check-up, or welcoming a new baby, this is your community hospital,’ added En. Mohd Shafee Awang, CEO, Columbia Asia Hospital – Batu Kawan.
Click for Online Article:
Inside Columbia Asia Batu Kawan – Penang’s New Community Hospital– Vitalsign.asia, 20 July 2025
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