The ‘Kampung Boy’ behind a medical breakthrough changing lives globally

2026-03-05 - 00:34

Prof Dr Mike Chan and his team of physicians and scientists lead the European Wellness Premier Centre in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) KOTA KINABALU: For years, families receiving a diagnosis like Alzheimer’s, autism, or other lifelong medical conditions, often heard the same crushing message: “There’s nothing more we can do.” But today, the frontier of regenerative science is suggesting otherwise. Welcome to the European Wellness Biomedical Group (EWBG), a world-class facility elevating the future of medical wellness, right here in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. At the heart of this global movement is Prof Dr Mike Chan, 64, a name recognised internationally as a pioneer in stem cell therapy. Chan, an expert in stem cell therapy, founded the European Wellness Biomedical Group in 1991 with his wife, Prof Dr Michelle Wong. ( Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Chan, who was diagnosed with autism as a child, comes from humble beginnings. Growing up as a “kampung boy” in Kuala Lumpur, he was single-handedly raised by his mother, and was never certain if there would be food the next day. All he had were his books and his drive. “I knew that the only way I could excel in life was to study very hard and be totally different,” he told FMT Lifestyle. With training from Soviet, German, and Swiss experts, Chan and his wife, Prof Dr Michelle Wong, started the European Wellness Biomedical Group (EWBG) in 1991. With more than 40 centres worldwide and over 1,000 employees, it’s a landmark Malaysian achievement. From treatments like halotherapy, the European Wellness Premier Centre covers diagnosis, detox, repair, and rejuvenation. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) The centre takes a comprehensive, holistic approach to total wellness – from BioMed scans to a suite of treatment rooms offering soothing halotherapy in the salt room, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and neural therapy in the theta chamber. But beyond all this grandeur, the centre delivers real results, especially for conditions often labelled “untreatable.” So, how does it actually work? As chairman and chief scientist of EWBG, Chan explained: “If you don’t have stem cells, you cannot regenerate, and when organs stop regenerating, they eventually fail. “By the age of 30, most of us are left with only about 25% of our stem cells. That is why we believe in replenishing them.” Led by experienced physicians, the centre’s treatments are structured around four key pillars – diagnose, detox, repair, and rejuvenate, the final stage potentially incorporating its Swiss-based cellular therapy for advanced regenerative care. The centre incorporates Swiss-based cellular therapy for advanced regenerative care. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Chan, however, rejects the idea that stem cells are a one-size-fits-all solution. “You need precision. Every one of the over 400 different types of cells in your body has a unique blueprint.” What sets the centre apart is their ability to deliver targeted organ and brain-specific precursor stem cell therapy – helping the body repair and regenerate exactly what’s needed. High-profile clients from around the world travel to their flagship premier centre in Sabah for a range of treatments, such as chronic disease prevention and management. Their work is backed by striking turnaround stories including Yolanda Hadid’s recovery from Lyme disease, and former deputy inspector-general Mohd Bakri Zinin’s journey with Parkinson’s. Once unable to hold a cup with both hands, he now can now play pickleball. Chan hopes that one day these treatments will be accessible to all, not just the wealthy. (Andrea Edmonds @ FMT Lifestyle) Chan also recounted the case of Michael McGinnis, who was diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney failure. “When I first met Michael in 2018, doctors had told him he would need dialysis three times a week for the rest of his life.” After receiving treatment at EWBG, his condition improved significantly. Chan recalled. His family contacted me and said, “We don’t know what you’re doing, but it’s working.” Since then, Michael has not required dialysis. Chan’s goal is to make these advanced therapies accessible to everyone, and he believes that mass-producing stem cells is key to bringing costs down. “My dream and my ambition are to save and enrich as many lives as possible. Stem cell therapy shouldn’t be a luxury reserved for the wealthy; it should be accessible to the person on the street,” he explained. By putting Malaysia on the map for regenerative medicine, EWBG isn’t just advancing science – it’s changing lives for the better. Click here, to learn more about the European Wellness Biomedical Group. Contact them at 017-672 8888. European Wellness Premier Centre Block M, Alamesra, Lorong Plaza Utama 5 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia