KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 — First Ambulance Services has been named Ambulance Service of the Year (Asia-Pacific) at the Global Health Asia-Pacific Healthcare Awards for the sixth time since 2020, marking a rare milestone for a Malaysian healthcare services company.
The recognition makes First Ambulance the only emergency medical services (EMS) provider in the Asia-Pacific region to have received the award six times since 2020, highlighting the growing importance of pre-hospital care in modern health care systems.
Other award recipients at the ceremony included leading health care names such as Island Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital Johor, Prince Court Medical Centre, Fosun Health Indonesia and IHH Healthcare, reinforcing the standing of the awards within the regional health care industry.
As hospitals across the region face rising demand, overcrowding, and the need for faster emergency response, health care leaders are increasingly recognising that treatment often begins before a patient reaches the hospital.
Over the past several years, First Ambulance has worked with hospitals, health care groups and institutional partners across Malaysia to improve emergency response capabilities through:
- Rapid-response motorcycle ambulances designed to navigate traffic congestion in urban centres.
- Connected smart ambulances enabling paramedics to communicate with hospital teams in real time.
- Expanded coverage to improve access in underserved communities.
- Advanced life support units staffed by trained emergency personnel.
These efforts are aimed at reducing response times, enabling earlier clinical intervention and improving patient outcomes.
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our frontline teams and the strong collaboration we have built with hospitals and health care partners,” said Steven Penafort, managing director of First Ambulance Services.
“Emergency medical services have become an essential extension of clinical care, and we are proud that we are being recognised at the regional level.”
The award also reflects broader momentum in Malaysia’s health care ecosystem, where public and private providers are investing in innovation, connectivity, and decentralised care delivery.
