IJN: construction of Johor Bahru hospital to start next year

From Nurul Hanis Izmir

LONDON, Oct 18 (Bernama) – Institut Jantung Negara Holdings Sdn Bhd (IJN) is expected to start the construction of its second heart centre in Johor Bahru next year and slated for completion in the next three to four years, said Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub.

He said the government-owned hospital had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) last year to set up the new hospital to cater to the demand for cardiac treatment in the southern part of Malaysia and neighbouring countries, namely Singapore and Batam, Indonesia. 

The 150-bed hospital, to be located in Taman Perling, Johor, will offer medical services to between 20 and 30 patients for cardiology and heart-related treatments.

Taman Perling is 20 minutes from the Johor Bahru city centre and served by the Second Link Expressway.

“We play a key role in terms of medical tourism in cardiology and cardiac surgery in Malaysia and the Malaysia Health Tourism has identified IJN as the flagship hospital for cardiology and cardiac surgery...so it is promoting IJN around the world,” he told reporters on the sidelines of his London visit here today.

Dr Mohd Azhari has been selected as the recipient of an Outstanding Alumnus of the Oxford Advanced Management and Leadership Programme, and is scheduled to receive the award on Friday at Oxford University, United Kingdom.

He said as the result of making great advancement in terms of the latest treatment in cardiology and cardiac surgery, as well as efficiency in the patients experiences, IJN has been perceived as the “Cleveland Clinic” of Asia.

He noted that Cleveland Clinic has been rated the best hospital for cardiology and cardiac surgery in the past ten consecutive years.

“We have monitored and provided many initiatives to improve the patients experience in terms of waiting time, customer service, and the feedback that we have received is very encouraging.

“We are internationally recognised and certified by the Joint Commission International in terms of our processes, customer services and clinical care,” he said.

Moving forward, he said IJN was also eyeing to open centres in Shah Alam and Penang.

“It is our desire to be at these three main economic centres — north, central and south, making IJN more accessible to the people,” he added.

In November 2017, IJN had entered into a strategic partnership with Selgate Corp Sdn Bhd to build the IJN Selgate Specialist Hospital in Shah Alam, costing about RM250 million.

IJN is still exploring opportunities in Penang, he said.

—BERNAMA