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Hong Kong’s leading diagnostic imaging group, iRad, is making a bold move across the border. Job listings in the Macao Daily News and local online platforms confirm that iRad is staffing up—not just clinicians but also operations personnel—for this ambitious venture.

This isn’t a spontaneous decision. Back in December 2022, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, the promoter behind Studio City, included the “iRad Polyclinic” project in its concession renewal announcement. The planned facility is envisioned to offer a full suite of diagnostic services—MRI, CT, 2D and 3D mammography, ultrasound, and X-rays—as part of Macau’s broader shift toward medical tourism.

The roots of this development trace back to March 2021, when Black Spade Capital, the family office of Melco CEO Lawrence Ho, acquired a majority stake in iRad Medical Holding Ltd while retaining its founding leadership. The strategic aim: accelerating iRad’s regional presence.

Recent commentary from Melco amplifies the strategic importance of medical services at resort complexes. Melco reaffirmed its intent for the iRad Polyclinic at Studio City, aligning current hiring with both corporate strategy and regulatory momentum.

Moreover, Melco’s 2022 investment roadmap detailed a robust MOP 10 billion (approx. US $1.3 billion) outlay for non‑gaming initiatives over ten years. The plan identifies the iRad Polyclinic as “the first and the largest private imaging and medical check‑up centre in the Macau SAR… a comprehensive wellness body check‑up destination” slated to open in 2024.

iRad already has a strong Hong Kong foothold, with seven scanning-and-diagnostic centres and a team of around 120 professionals serving nearly 900,000 patients since 2005. Their expansion into Macau could not only diversify Melco’s resort offerings, but also pave the way for a wider push into medical tourism across the Greater Bay Area.

While no official launch dates or quotes from iRad or Melco executives are public yet, the hiring advertisements and strategic context present a clear roadmap: this will be a flagship facility once opened.

This move signals a significant milestone in Macau’s transformation strategy—melding entertainment, hospitality, and healthcare under one roof to attract a richer international clientele. The Studio City Polyclinic is poised to blend advanced diagnostic capabilities with resort-style wellness, reinforcing Macau’s repositioning as more than just a gambling destination.

As the talent pool grows and construction progresses, we’ll be watching for the collarboration between Melco and iRad, official statements, and the impact on Macau’s evolving medical-tourism landscape.