TAWAU: The planned upgrade of Tawau Hospital to Grade 1 status by 2030 is expected to boost specialist services and modern facilities while positioning the district as a key health tourism destination in the region.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the move affirms Tawau’s role as an essential hub in Sabah’s public healthcare network, serving more than 353,000 residents.
He said the hospital, currently equipped with 585 beds, will receive an additional 150 critical-care beds and an invasive cardiology laboratory, enabling it to function as a new cardiology referral centre for the East Coast.
Dr Dzulkefly added that achieving Grade 1 status is a rare recognition requiring strong specialist capacity and is expected to widen access to quality treatment for patients across Sabah and beyond.
He said the ministry’s efforts also include tackling non-communicable diseases through mass screenings and early detection programmes, underscoring the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare in Tawau and other rural areas.
