Life Care Diagnostics Medical Centre, Dr. Ong Kee Liang, Building Life Care Around Prevention, People, and Purpose
In 2004, Dr Ong Kee Liang was on a mission abroad to help set up dialysis centres in Sri Lanka. As a nephrologist, he was no stranger to seeing patients at the end stage of disease. But something struck him on that trip: Why are doctors only called in when it's too late?
This simple yet powerful question planted the seed for what would become Life Care Diagnostic Medical Centre (Life Care), one of Malaysia’s pioneering and most trusted preventive healthcare providers.
A Vision for Prevention
“We always wait for disease to happen. Then we act. But by then, sometimes, it’s too late,” Dr Ong reflected. “That’s when I started thinking—why not start a proper medical screening centre? Not just a place for basic tests, but full preventive care.”
It was a radical idea at the time. Medical check-ups were a hard sell two decades ago, especially for the Malaysian public. Health screening was perceived as unnecessary or intimidating—if you weren’t sick, why see a doctor?
But Dr Ong had a vision grounded in science, built with heart, and driven by a belief that early detection could save lives, families, and futures.
Starting From Zero—And Staying the Course
Life Care started in a rented space at Wisma MCIS, Jalan Barat, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
“We had no customers,” he admitted. “Zero. I had 20 staff and no customers. I nearly went bankrupt after six months.”
The early days were tough. With no revenue, partners pulled out, and he mortgaged his house to stay afloat. However, the one thing Dr Ong didn’t lose was his commitment to the idea and his people. Even when the company was bleeding, he borrowed money to pay bonuses—a small token of appreciation that went a long way.
“I’ve always believed that if the business is not working, it’s not your staff’s fault. They showed up, and they did their best. It’s your job as the founder to ensure they’re taken care of.”
A Turning Point—and a Lifelong Partnership
A pivotal moment came when a customer visited Life Care for a check-up. “That day, there were only three customers,” shared Dr Ong. And yet, after his consultation, he turned to Dr Ong and said something unexpected: “I want to buy your company.”
“At first, I thought it was a joke. But two days later, a deal was struck. We received an investment in exchange for a lifelong partnership.
“He saw something I couldn’t even see yet. That allowed me to consolidate the ownership structure and take charge.” With renewed confidence and a marketing boost, Life Care began to grow slowly, steadily, and with its values intact.
A Philosophy Rooted in People
Two decades later, Life Care employs over 200 people, with many of the original 20 staff still in the organisation. At the heart of its growth is a philosophy that sees every stakeholder—customers, staff, and doctors—as an equal part of the ecosystem.
“Our customers value their health—they want to live longer, live better, and age gracefully. They believe in prevention,” said Dr Ong. “And our team? They’re the heart of Life Care. Without them, none of this would be possible.”
Dr Ong’s leadership style is intentionally non-hierarchical. “I don’t like micromanaging.” Instead, he empowers teams, trusts their judgment, and only steps in when necessary. “I’m not perpetual. I won’t be here forever. But if I want Life Care to be, my team needs the freedom to think, grow, and lead.”
What Makes Life Care Different?
Dr Ong is quick to admit that preventive healthcare is a crowded space. However, Life Care continues to stand out, not because it advertises loudly but because it consistently delivers quietly.
“We don’t do gimmicks. We treat people ethically. If there’s a problem, we help you find the right doctor—even if it’s not with us. That builds trust. And trust builds growth.”
One major differentiator is Life Care’s “totality” approach to medical check-ups. Screening is not a side operation; it is the main operation of the business. Life Care’s entire structure is built for preventive care and to make preventive care affordable.
Even their technology choices reflect this mission. Life Care has launched its in-house app, allowing clients full access to their medical records, imaging reports, and consultation notes at no extra cost.
A Healthcare Alliance, Not Just a Centre
Life Care also integrates with allied health professionals through what Dr Ong calls the “Healthcare Alliance.” Chiropractors, physiotherapists, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, and Ayurvedic specialists are part of the broader Life Care ecosystem. “We partner with them because healing is not just about doctors. It’s about treating the whole person, with the right mix of support.”
Looking Ahead: Automation and Accessibility
Dr Ong is now focused on preparing Life Care for the next chapter—automation, decentralisation, and sustainability. “At Life Care, we’re embracing intelligent automation to enhance precision, optimise efficiency, and empower our people to focus on what truly matters: delivering exceptional care and meaningful experiences,” he shared. “We’re streamlining our processes to save time and ensure greater consistency in care. Our app will continue to evolve—check-ups, results, follow-ups, reminders—everything should be seamless. We’re not just a centre anymore. We’re a system.”
“Preventive healthcare shouldn’t be a luxury—it should be accessible to everyone. That’s what ‘Inspiring Better Health’ means to us: empowering more people to take charge of their well-being, early and affordably.”
Founders Advice
His advice to fellow SME founders is profound and straightforward: “You need to be passionate. And you need to believe in what you’re doing, especially when no one else does.”
Starting Life Care at 35, Dr Ong gave up a government specialist track and poured everything into a dream that made no sense to anyone else then.
“I am grateful that I’ve had luck on my side. But luck only matters if you’ve done the hard work.” After 20 years, Life Care proves that doing the right thing, the right way, still matters.
