Medical device sector secures RM57bil investments over 10 years

Malaysia's medical device sector has attracted RM57.17 billion in approved investments from 2015 to 2025, resulting in the creation of 131,994 high-value jobs, according to Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad. Speaking at the International Medical Device Exhibition and Conference 2026, Dzulkefly emphasized that the industry continues to be export-driven. He highlighted the importance of strengthening Malaysia's medical technology ecosystem, citing the growing global demand for advanced healthcare solutions.

Dzulkefly stressed that healthcare security is equivalent to national security, underscoring that global disruptions have demonstrated the risks associated with vulnerable supply chains for critical medical supplies. To address these concerns, Malaysia is enhancing regulatory cooperation through the Global Harmonisation Working Party and Asean frameworks to expedite access to safe medical technologies.

The Health Ministry unveiled the establishment of the Medical Device Authority's Centre of Excellence, aimed at bolstering expertise, training, and knowledge sharing in medical device regulation. Additionally, a partnership between the MDA and an SME Bank will provide financial support, capacity building, and entrepreneurship programs to nearly 600 local manufacturers.

The hologram security label will also play a crucial role in combating counterfeit medical devices by linking physical devices directly to MDA's regulatory records. In the past three years, the health ministry conducted 15 raids, seizing 1.3 million units of unregistered medical devices worth RM1.68 million.