KUALA LUMPUR: Columbia Asia, one of the largest healthcare providers in Southeast Asia and India, will be opening three new hospitals in Malaysia by 2018.

The new hospitals will be part of the company’s US$150 million investment to expand its network from 27 facilities to 34 hospitals and one clinic in Southeast Asia in four years’ time.

Currently, Columbia Asia's headquarter city of Kuala Lumpur plays host to the group’s five hospitals in Malaysia. It plans to add a sixth hospital in 2016 and a seventh in 2017 to the tally.

Besides Malaysia, India and Indonesia will see three and two new hospitals, respectively, within the same time frame.

Newly appointed CEO of the brand’s Asian network, John Northen said, “No other healthcare provider in Asia has hospitals in as many countries operating under a single brand. Our goal is to continue to ensure all patients leave our hospitals cared for medically as well as feeling satisfied, respected and comforted.”

According to a press release by Columbia Asia today, the expansion is part of the company’s strategy “to create clusters of hospitals in large urban areas” which allows it to achieve “operational and brand leverage across the market in each large city.

Columbia Asia is part of US-based Columbia Pacific Management, and claims to have an innovative business model focused on modern, efficient and affordable multi-specialty hospitals located close to where patients live and work.