Medivest’s Role In Shaping An ESG-Driven Future

In healthcare, attention is often drawn to what happens within hospital walls, the doctors, nurses and the care they provide. Yet, behind the scenes lies an ecosystem of critical services that keep hospitals functioning seamlessly. This is where Medivest Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian-grown company, has made its mark for more than three decades.

Medivest has kept hospitals in Johor, Melaka and Negeri Sembilan running seamlessly, ensuring every operating theatre, ward and laboratory receives the support it needs. From facility engineering and biomedical maintenance to cleansing, linen and laundry, and healthcare waste management, Medivest’s services may not always be visible, but they remain the lifeline of hospital operations. The company also manages and maintains more than 1,200 acres of hospital land as well as 142,000 assets valued approximately at RM2.5 billion, highlighting its important role in supporting and sustaining the infrastructure that drives public healthcare delivery.

To strengthen its capabilities, Medivest is supported by three specialised subsidiaries: Medivest Engineering Sdn Bhd, Mobility Venture Sdn Bhd and Mas Aero Services Sdn Bhd.

Today, Medivest has evolved from being just a service provider to becoming a strategic partner to the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH) in shaping the future of sustainable healthcare support services. Working hand in hand with MOH through the national Sustainability Programme, Medivest is embedding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) values deep into its operations, proving that even the most complex healthcare environments can be green, efficient and resilient.

In alignment with MOH’s national policies and Malaysia’s international commitments, Medivest has helped institutionalise practices such as energy management, the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) initiative, indoor air quality improvements and green building certification across hospitals. Within the healthcare industry, where hospitals are among the most energy-intensive facilities, these measures go far beyond compliance, reflecting a long-term commitment to efficiency, environmental care and healthier environments for patients and staff alike.

Through careful planning and close collaboration with MOH, Medivest has transformed hospitals into climate-conscious buildings that are lighter on resources and smarter in performance. Energy efficiency upgrades from LED lighting and chiller system improvements to solar adoption and real-time monitoring have already reduced consumption by the millions of kilowatt-hours each year.

Medivest uses the Energy Performance Contract (EPC) model as part of its Sustainability Programme through its subsidiary, Medivest Engineering. The EPC model is a partnership that allows clients to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprint with minimal or no up-front capital investment. Over the last decade, Medivest has recorded a remarkable energy reduction of over 150 million kWh, saving over RM61 million in energy costs across 22 public hospitals in Negeri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is a foundational pillar of healthcare sustainability, influencing infection control, patient recovery rates, and the overall well-being of hospital staff. Detailed IAQ assessment involving 640 sampling points and 924 walkthrough inspections were conducted in facilities managed by Medivest to identify visible issues and ensure compliance with IAQ standards.

Waste management is a fundamental pillar of sustainable healthcare, ensuring that hospital operations minimize environmental impact while maintaining efficiency and hygiene standards. The 3R Initiative has been integrated into MOH’s sustainability strategy to address waste reduction, responsible resource utilisation and the circular economy within Malaysia’s healthcare facilities. Facilities managed by Medivest has been making impressive progress in recycling and waste management with a total of 4.2 million kg of recycled waste, generating RM1.3million in revenue and achieving 8.53% recycling rate for the last 10 years.

Medivest continues to set new benchmarks in sustainability and ESG through a series of national and international recognitions. Hospital Jasin, for example, achieved a 40% reduction in annual energy consumption through a chiller plant retrofit, an accomplishment that earned it 1st Runner-Up in both the 2023 National Energy Award and the ASEAN Energy Award.

Most notably, Hospital Jasin became the first hospital in the world to receive LEED Platinum Operations and Maintenance V4 certification from the US Green Building Council (2021), while Hospitals Tampin and Permai earned Gold LEED Operations & Maintenance V4 certifications (2023). Other facilities such as hospitals in Jelebu, Tangkak, Pontian and Jasin have also won accolades at the ASEAN Energy Awards. On the national stage, 22 hospitals have been recognised under the ASEAN Energy Management Scheme, 18 hospitals certified under the SEDA Low Carbon Buildings Assessment, and 10 hospitals honoured at the National Energy Awards between 2021 and 2024. More recently, Medivest received the Malaysia Technology Excellence Award 2024 for its Amplified Intelligence Centre and Waste Treatment Plant, further cementing its role as a leader in sustainable healthcare support services.

Sustainability at Medivest is powered by technology. At the centre is the Amplified Intelligence Centre (AIC), a state-of-the-art hub that integrates data analytics, automation and smart monitoring systems. By capturing real-time data from hospitals, AIC allows teams to optimise energy, assets and waste systems with precision.

Complementing its digital advances, Medivest has invested in robotics, drone-assisted inspections and automated linen handling systems, tools that enhance safety, reduce risks, and improve efficiency across hospital operations. Its Mas Aero Services Laundry Plant applies heat recovery and green chemistry to process tonnes of hospital linen daily, while pioneering practices in energy and water savings. Together, these facilities stand as national showcases of how healthcare infrastructure can operate cleaner, smarter and more sustainably.

Medivest also operates a state-of-the-art healthcare waste incineration plant in Bukit Rambai, Melaka. The facility treats 600 metric tonnes of healthcare waste every month and is equipped with advanced Air Pollution Control (APC) systems and a Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) to ensure full compliance and environmental safety. From collection through to disposal, the entire chain is monitored by the AIC. In line with its “zero waste to landfill” vision, Medivest is collaborating with Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) to repurpose the by-products of incineration into concrete materials, turning healthcare waste into a valuable resource for the construction industry. This closed-loop approach not only protects public health but also reinforces Medivest’s role as an innovator in sustainable waste management.

For Medivest, sustainability is about people as much as systems. Its 4,000-strong workforce is strengthened through continuous training; from the Certificate in Healthcare Facility Management (CHFM) to technical masterclasses and sponsored professional qualifications, while joint sessions with hospital engineers and ecosystem partners build shared understanding, enhance problem solving and keep pace with new technologies.

Beyond its workforce, Medivest extends its social impact to the wider community through both collaborations and CSR initiatives. Its collaboration with Maybank Islamic’s Digital Supply Chain Finance Platform (DSFP-i) provides accessible financing to local SME vendors, helping strengthen the resilience of its supply chain. At the same time, Medivest contributes directly to society by supporting World Cleanup Day, upgrading hospital landscapes and offering ambulance loaner services. Together, these efforts reflect Medivest’s commitment to uplifting its people, partners and communities

Good governance underpins Medivest’s ESG journey, guided by transparency, accountability and strict corporate policies such as Whistleblower, Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption (ABAC), and compliance with the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA). Continuous improvements to processes and systems ensure integrity, ethical conduct, and sustainable practices across all operations

Medivest’s governance is further validated through multiple international certifications, including ISO 20000-1 and ISO 27001:2022 for site offices, workshops and the regional waste treatment plant, ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, ISOMS 2696:2018 for vehicle service and spare parts and ISO 9001 for all offices and across its subsidiaries. It is also the first Malaysian company certified under MS 2735 for Emergency Preparedness and Response, ensuring hospitals are always ready to respond swiftly to crises.

At its core, Medivest’s ESG journey is built on partnership. By working closely with MOH and embedding sustainability, innovation and governance into every service, Medivest is shaping a healthcare ecosystem that is resilient, responsible and ready for the future.

As Chief Executive Officer Ts. Abdullah Hashim says: “Creativity and innovation are key to achieving sustainable excellence and as we grow, our focus remains on the well-being of the communities we serve.”