HMI Medical Group is revolutionizing healthcare standards in Malaysia and Southeast ASEAN with the introduction of Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) by leveraging Japan's Hinotori™ system at its flagship hospitals, Regency Specialist Hospital (RSH) in Johor Bahru and Mahkota Medical Centre (MMC) in Melaka. HMI Medical becomes the first private healthcare group in ASEAN to adopt Japanese RAS technology.
The groundbreaking system, developed collaboratively by Japan's Kawasaki Heavy Industry's robotics expertise and Sysmex Corporation's healthcare knowledge, empowers surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced precision, control, and visibility. By integrating RAS alongside open and laparoscopic methods, surgery procedures at HMI Medical are versatile, comprehensive and accessible.
Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS): Redefining Surgical Excellence and Advancing Precision Patient Care
Robotic-assisted surgery, a significant innovation in medical technology, simulates the surgeon's precise movements, performing complex procedures with enhanced dexterity, crucial to successful surgical outcomes. Using robotic arms and a high-definition 3D camera controlled from a console, minimally invasive surgery can be carried out in several disciplines including urology, gynaecology, colorectal, and general surgery. Consequently, surgeons at Malaysia's MMC and RSH healthcare systems integrate cutting-edge procedures with strategic surgical management practices to optimize operative protocols, establishing new standards for advanced care in the region.
The Hinotori™ device, backed by five decadess devoted to technological advancement, has been approved by Japan's Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA), Singapore's Health Sciences Authority (HSA), and Malaysia's Medical Device Authority (MDA), and is currently employed in 87 Japanese hospitals and Singapore General Hospital. Singapore-headquartered HMI Medical has extensive footprints in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore leading as a dominant healthcare player in ASEAN. Sysmex Corporation, based in Kobe, Japan, is a global leader in in-vitro diagnostics supporting healthcare in over 190 countries.
A new benchmark for advanced care in the region has been established by HMI by integrating RAS in conjunction with open and laparoscopic procedures. By leveraging the most innovative state-of-the-art surgical techniques and RAS clinical decision-making parameters, HMI optimizes surgical protocols for better patient outcomes.
"Robotic-assisted surgery is well poised to continue shaping healthcare's future, offering transformative possibilities to both doctors and patients alike. By introducing Hinotori™ into our hospitals, we are not only investing in technology but also in the future of healthcare in the ASEAN region. Leveraging Hinotori™ robotic assisted surgery in HMI’s Malaysia flagship hospitals, we facilitate the most advanced surgical procedures that contribute to faster recovery, and better patient outcomes. This underscores our unwavering commitment to delivering value-based care by ensuring patients gain access to cutting-edge medical technology”, said Chin Wei Jia, Group CEO of HMI Medical.
Elevating Regional Healthcare Standards in Malaysia
HMI Medical commemorated this milestone with a two-day launch event on 22nd and 23rd September, at RSH and MMC hospitals in Johor and Melaka respectively. The event gathered government leaders, global innovators, as well as healthcare experts from various sectors around the world. The forum explored how Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) can shape Malaysia's healthcare future and showcased real-world case studies in women's health, general surgery, and colorectal health.
On 22 September, Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) by Hinotori™ was inaugurated at Regency Specialist Hospital (RSH) in Johor Bahru. The event was graced by the distinguished presence of the honourable Chairman of Johor Health and Environment Committee, Mr. YB Ling Tian Soon together with Ms. Chin Wei Jia, Executive Director and Group CEO of HMI Medical; Prof. Jacob ST Pang, Chairman of the International Medical Center; Ms. Serena Yong, CEO of Regency Specialist Hospital; Mr. Iwane Matsui, Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer at Sysmex Corp; Mr. Frank Buescher, CEO of Sysmex Asia Pacific Pte Ltd; Dr. Lim Huay Cheen, Regency Specialist Hospital, Dr. Chong Mian Yoon, HMI Medical Group Chief Medical Adviser.
YB Ling Tian Soon, Johor Health and Environment Committee Chairman, in his inaugural keynote remarked, “The event marks a significant technological advancement intended to bolster Johor's healthcare transformation and medical tourism sector. Johor's healthcare transformation in recent years has been rivalled by a clear ambition to harness its strategic location and strong ties with Singapore to emerge as the premier healthcare hub in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. Advanced medical technologies like robotic-assisted surgery are crucial for addressing current healthcare capacity constraints and improving patient care in the region.
RAS leverages precision and a minimally invasive approach leading to less scarring and improved surgical outcomes, significantly faster recovery time and shorter hospital stays. By improving patient outcomes, reducing strain on healthcare system frameworks, better managing patient load, and by providing secure and affordable cutting-edge care, Johor strengthens its position as a trusted, superior, yet cost-effective healthcare hub."
"The government has a key role in enabling this growth, by developing a regulatory framework, facilitating investment, and ensuring supporting infrastructure to accommodate healthcare tourism patients. The initiative is underway and we are collaboratively working with medical groups like HMI Medical to increase patient access to high-tech medical technology.
The outlook of the Malaysia medical tourism industry describes the market as projected to reach USD27.2.75 billion by 2032, expanding at an impressive 20.29% CAGR. Johor is uniquely positioned to capture this opportunity. We will strive to join forces to strengthen Johor as a centre of excellence for healthcare in the region" concluded Chairman YB Ling Tian Soon.
On behalf of the Melaka State Government, Chief Minister Of Melaka, Rt. Hon. Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Bin Yusoh officially inaugurated the first Hinotori™ in Mahkota Medical Centre (MMC), championing the next era of Robotic Surgery in Malaysia.
The event was graced by the distinguished presence of Honorable Datuk Wira Azhar bin Hj. Arshad Melaka State Secretary; Honorable Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem, EXCO for Health, Human Resources and Unity; Ms. Chin Wei Jia, Executive Director and Group CEO of HMI Medical; Mr Stanley Lam CEO of HMI Malaysia; Ms Teo Chin Yee, CEO of Mahkota Medical Centre; Mr. Get Matsui, Member of the Managing Board and Senior Executive Officer Sysmex Corporation, Japan; Mr Frank Buescher, CEO of Sysmex Asia Pacific; Professor Dr. Jacob Pang, Consultant Surgeon at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan & President of the Urological Association of Asia.
“This groundbreaking innovation from Japan is designed for minimally invasive procedures, providing surgeons with exceptional precision and control through high-definition 3D visualization. More importantly, the system was purposely designed to serve a wide range of surgical specialties. During my visit to Sysmex Corporation in Kobe, I witnessed the system’s capabilities firsthand and was truly impressed by the innovation and transformative potential it represents. With this experience, I am confident that Hinotori technology will deliver immense value to Melaka, raising standards of care, enhancing safety and improving outcomes across our healthcare sector.”
Regarding Melaka as a Premier Healthcare Hub, the Honourable Chief Minister further explained: “Building on this momentum, Melaka is expanding its role as a healthcare hub, in line with the State Government’s vision and Malaysia's Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint for 2021-2025. I strongly believe that advancements in healthcare, such as the Hinotori™ System will be a game-changing opportunity to position Melaka as a leading medical tourism destination and a centre of excellence in healthcare innovation. Melaka will continue to lead in healthcare innovation, setting new benchmarks for excellence and shaping a bright future for our state and nation.”
With RAS offering a more cost-effective alternative to traditional open and laparoscopic surgery, HMI Medical is positioning itself as a disruptor in healthcare. HMI’s hospitals now feature one of ASEAN’s first Hinotori-trained surgical teams across urology, gynaecology, colorectal surgery and general surgery. HMI emphasizes extensive skills development among doctors in order to ensure proficiency in robotic assisted surgery.
Over 11,000 robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) procedures have been conducted across Malaysia using Hinotori™. Several complex and sought after surgeries have been successfully performed at Mahkota Medical Centre (MMC) and Regency Specialist Hospital (RSH) across a wide range of specialties. RAS has demonstrated improvements in surgical precision, shorter hospital stays, and better patient compliance, highlighting its positive impact on early healthcare outcomes. With growing demand for RAS in areas like prostate, kidney, and women’s health, the system is reshaping surgical practices and positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for advanced care.
“Hinotori™ is a testament to Japan’s medical innovation, and we are proud to see it expand from Japan to Singapore, and now to Malaysia,” said Genichi Murakami, Vice President of Medicaroid Corporation, a joint venture between Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Sysmex Corporation. “We look forward to collaborating with leading hospitals across the region to share expertise and elevate surgical standards outside of Japan.”
The milestone reinforces HMI's steadfast focus to advancing digital healthcare innovation, exemplified by MMC’s recent launch of Malaysia’s first Next-Gen Smart Ward. By integrating IoT devices and real-time monitoring, this initiative enhances in-ward patient care experiences, further solidifying HMI’s dedication to delivering value-based care through cutting-edge technology.
