Gleneagles Hospital Penang (Dermatology) Review: Hospital Dermatology in George Town, Penang

Overview of Gleneagles Hospital Penang (Dermatology)

Gleneagles Hospital Penang (Dermatology) is not a stand-alone skin clinic. It is one of the specialist services inside the hospital. The hospital belongs to Gleneagles Hospitals Malaysia and IHH Healthcare. Some directories call it Gleneagles Medical Centre. The hospital also uses the short form GPG.

The hospital says it has more than 40 specialities and over 100 specialist doctors. The Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH) has also accredited it.

What seeing a dermatologist in a hospital means

A dermatologist is a doctor trained to treat diseases of the skin, hair and nails. In a hospital, other services sit in the same building. For example, a large private hospital will often have a lab, scans and a pharmacy on site. It will have many other specialists too. So if a skin problem links to another health issue, a referral can often stay under one roof.

This setting suits problems that need a firm diagnosis or long-term care. Think of a mole that changes, bad eczema, psoriasis or a rash with no clear cause. The hospital also runs a 24-hour A&E unit. But that is separate from the skin clinic.

But a hospital is not always the quickest or simplest place for a short cosmetic visit. You sign in at a central counter and see the doctor in a suite. Then you pay at the pharmacy.

Sessional doctors

The hospital lists both dermatologists as "sessional". In practice, they hold clinic sessions there on set days. They do not work there full time. One of them also works at another clinic. Directories list the other at public and private hospitals elsewhere. So bookings depend on each doctor's own hours.

About the doctors at Gleneagles Hospital Penang (Dermatology)

Two doctors appear under Dermatology in the hospital's list. Both are dermatologists. Both also appear in the directory of Persatuan Dermatologi Malaysia (the Dermatological Society of Malaysia).

Dr Chong Yew Thong

Dr Chong Yew Thong sees patients in Suite 392, on the 3rd floor of Block B. The listed qualifications are MD (USM), MRCP (UK), Adv M Derm (UKM) and AM. The Adv M Derm is an advanced master's degree in dermatology from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The Malaysian Medical Council (MMC) register confirms Dr Chong's full registration. The number is 36877, and it dates from July 2001.

Dr Chong's 2027 practising certificate covers Gleneagles Hospital Penang. It also covers Klinik Pakar Kulit MD Dermatology in Bayan Lepas. The society's directory lists general and laser dermatology as Dr Chong's services. Dr Chong also speaks English, Malay, Mandarin, Hokkien and Cantonese. That helps many Penang patients.

Assoc Prof Dr Tan Wooi Chiang

Assoc Prof Dr Tan Wooi Chiang sees patients in Suite 391, next door. The listed qualifications are MD (USM) and a diploma in STDs and AIDS. There is also a diploma in dermatology from Glasgow. The list goes on with MRCP (Ireland), Adv M Derm (UKM) and AM (Malaysia).

The society lists Dr Tan at Gleneagles and at the Department of Dermatology, Hospital Pulau Pinang. It also lists Dr Tan at Kedah Medical Centre in Alor Setar. The services it names include general, laser and cosmetic dermatology. They also include light therapy, allergy tests and STIs.

In addition, the society's 2023 newsletter names Dr Tan as its Vice-President for 2022 to 2024. The same newsletter names Dr Tan as editor of the Malaysian Journal of Dermatology since 2017.

Services and treatments

The hospital splits its skin care into three parts. First, medical dermatology covers skin disease, from acne to skin cancer. Second, cosmetic dermatology deals with how your skin looks. Third, it lists laser treatment for pigmented lesions and scars.

The focus leans towards medical care. For example, it names skin infections, infestations, allergies and STIs. A specialist's diagnosis counts for these. Meanwhile, it does not publish a list of cosmetic treatments. So ask the doctor what is on offer.

Conditions treated

The hospital says its skin doctors treat problems of the skin, scalp, hair and nails. It names acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin infections, allergies, skin cancer and STIs. It also lists unusual moles, pigmented lesions and scars.

Unusual moles are worth a closer look. If a mole changes in size, shape or colour, a dermatologist should check it. As this service sits in a hospital, staff can often arrange follow-up tests or referrals on site. That said, ask your doctor how you will get your results and any referrals.

• Acne
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Skin infections and infestations
• Skin allergies
• Skin cancer
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Pigmented lesions
• Scars
• Hair, scalp and nail conditions

Technology and equipment

Gleneagles Hospital Penang does not name the brands or models of its skin lasers or other tools. The only detail it gives is that it uses laser treatment for pigmented lesions and scars.

In general, pigment lasers break up extra colour in the skin, such as some dark spots. Lasers for scars often aim to smooth the skin over several sessions. Results vary from person to person. Some skin types also carry a higher risk of side effects.

So at your first visit, ask which device the doctor plans to use. Ask why it suits your skin. Also ask how many sessions people tend to need and how much downtime to expect. Finally, ask how the doctor will manage any change in skin colour.

Pricing at Gleneagles Hospital Penang (Dermatology)

Gleneagles Hospital Penang (Dermatology) prices do not appear online. It gives no consultation fee, laser price or package rate. So we cannot quote checked figures.

When you call to book, ask what it costs to see the dermatologist. Then ask whether tests, treatments and medicines go on the bill as separate items. Hospital bills often list them that way.

If you plan to claim on insurance, check your cover with your insurer first. The hospital asks you to bring a guarantee letter from your insurer if you have one.

Location, parking and branches

Gleneagles Hospital Penang is at 1 Jalan Pangkor, in George Town on Penang Island. Both skin suites are on the 3rd floor of Block B. This service has only one site in Penang.

Parking and arrival

The hospital has a seven-storey covered car park in Block A. There is also an open car park in front. When you arrive, go to the Outpatient Registration counter in the ground-floor lobby. Then head up to Block B.

It does not publish access details for the clinic suites. If you need lift access or a wheelchair, call ahead to ask.

• Gleneagles Hospital Penang, Block B, 3rd Floor (Suites 391 & 392): 1, Jalan Pangkor, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)

Opening hours

Gleneagles Hospital Penang (Dermatology) publishes no hours for the whole unit. It only lists each doctor's sessions. Dr Chong Yew Thong's sessions run Monday to Saturday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Assoc Prof Dr Tan Wooi Chiang's sessions run on Saturday only, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Both doctors are sessional, and the hospital does not publish public holiday hours. So call the doctor's suite to check before you visit. Note that the hospital's visiting hours (12:00 to 8:00 pm) are for inpatient visitors. They do not apply to the skin clinic.

No department-wide hours are published; hours shown combine the two dermatologists' published clinic sessions. Dr Chong Yew Thong: Mon–Sat 8:30–13:00 (Suite 392, +604 222 9157). Assoc Prof Dr Tan Wooi Chiang: Saturday 8:30–16:30 (Suite 391, +604 222 9357). Both are listed as sessional, so call to confirm before visiting. The hospital's 24-hour emergency line is +604 222 9199.

What patients say about Gleneagles Hospital Penang (Dermatology)

4.4 out of 5 on Google Maps (checked 14 Oct 2026), whole hospital

On 14 October 2026, the Google Maps listing for Gleneagles Hospital Penang showed 4.4 stars. That score covers the whole hospital, not the skin clinic alone. Google hides the review count when you are not signed in, so we cannot say how many reviews it covers. We found no reviews of the skin service itself, so we do not sum up patient views here.

If reviews matter to you, ask friends or your GP what they found. You could also ask staff how long patients tend to wait for each doctor.

Pros and cons

Who this clinic is best for

This service suits people who want a dermatologist's diagnosis. It helps if you may also need tests or other specialists. Examples include a mole that changes, psoriasis, stubborn eczema or a rash that has not settled. It also suits patients who already use a private hospital through insurance.

But it is less handy if you can only come on weekday afternoons. For another dermatologist-led option, see our Lim Skin Specialist Clinic review. You can also compare every clinic in our top 10.

How to book

Call the doctor's suite to book. Dr Chong Yew Thong's clinic is on +604 222 9157. Assoc Prof Dr Tan Wooi Chiang's clinic is on +604 222 9357. The hospital's main line is +604 222 9111. Its WhatsApp line is +6016 498 9089.

Bring your IC or passport and any referral letter. Also bring your insurer's guarantee letter if you have one. Add a list of the medicines you take. If you have a rash that comes and goes, bring photos of it too.

Patients from abroad can call the International Patient Centre on +604 222 9090. It offers translators.

Photo gallery

Photos are from the clinic's official website or social pages and remain the property of Gleneagles Hospital Penang (Dermatology).

Gleneagles Hospital Penang (Dermatology): frequently asked questions

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