KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 18): In this Health + Wellness special issue, Options meets Erica Lam, CEO of Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur (PHKL), the flagship of IHH Healthcare Bhd. Lam looks back on its journey, highs and lows — especially during the Covid pandemic — and how setbacks become opportunities to improve. PHKL has grown from a small private facility into a tertiary hospital with 380 beds, eight operating rooms and more than 120 clinics. 

Looking ahead, it plans to adopt new technology and digitalise records, among other matters. Healthcare in private hospitals has changed, so have patients’ expectations. But the reluctance to go for screening continues, as fear of the unknown, or not wanting to know, hold people back. But early detection and prevention can reduce treatment costs, besides giving patients more choices on what they can do. And outcomes are often better, says Lam, whose journey into healthcare was quite unplanned.

Former corporate executive Carolyn Peh talks about embracing one’s spiritual side, walking meditation, living in harmony with each other and the environment, and renewing the soul through ThetaHealing. Spiritual guru Sri Preethaji wants to raise global consciousness of spirituality and sustainability through conscious entrepreneurship, and shares simple practices we can engage in to achieve that goal.

Mind, body and soul benefit when one focuses on intentional and meaningful living. Get pointers on how to do that from eight new and insightful books. Those looking for digital health solutions can check out Garmin’s smartwatches and services, unveiled at its fifth health summit held in Singapore. And if you are into wellness treatments and retreats, with pampering thrown in, check out options on where to go.

Read about these and more in our Feb 19, 2024 issue of Options, out with The Edge Malaysia weekly.

Save by subscribing to us for your print and/or digital copy.

P/S: The Edge is also available on Apple's AppStore and Androids' Google Play.