Dzulkefly said the hospital was awarded the inaugural Most Sustainable Hospital Award at the Hospital Management Asia Awards 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

“This year’s competition drew 399 entries from 140 hospitals across 14 countries, yet Bukit Mertajam Hospital’s journey of 135 years of eco-friendly healthcare stood out,” he said in a post on X.

He said the hospital’s winning initiatives included retrofitting air-conditioning and switching to LED lighting, as well as zero-waste programmes covering food, e-waste, composting, cotton recycling and even a zero-waste public toilet.

The hospital was also recognised for its carbon reduction initiatives of planting 1,100 trees and reducing empty ambulance rides. It also cultivated hydroponic edible gardens and introduced biodegradable food trays for patients.

Dzulkefly expressed hope that this achievement would lead to more Malaysian hospitals championing sustainable practices.

“Bukit Mertajam Hospital has proven that our public hospitals can lead globally, delivering safe, quality care while building climate-conscious health systems.

“Congratulations to the director and entire team of Bukit Mertajam Hospital! And kudos to the director and team of the Penang health department,” he added.