IJN Expand Cardiac Care Footprint through Strategic Partnership with Putra Specialist Hospital Melaka

Collaboration introduces visiting consultant model, urgent procedure pathways, and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen Melaka as a hub for cardiac care and medical tourism

 

MELAKA, 20 August 2025 – Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), Malaysia’s premier heart centre, has entered into a strategic collaboration with Putra Specialist Hospital Melaka (PSHMSB) to extend its internationally recognised cardiac services into the southern region, marking a new milestone in its mission to expand access to world-class heart care. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), witnessed by the Chief Minister of Melaka, YAB Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh, underlines IJN’s commitment to deliver specialised cardiology and cardiothoracic expertise closer to communities in Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, northern Johor, and neighbouring Indonesia.

In preparation for this extended service collaboration, IJN and Putra Specialist Hospital Melaka have performed a comprehensive site analysis and feasibility check on equipment, facilities, and infrastructure, and evaluated the operational readiness of Putra Specialist Hospital Melaka for IJN’s medical personnel to conduct cardiology and cardiothoracic services there. These readiness measures ensure that patients in Melaka can immediately benefit from IJN’s advanced care within a safe and fully equipped environment.

As part of the MOA, IJN will introduce a structured visiting consultant model where specialist cardiac clinics will be held once week. Urgent cases will be prioritised with procedures scheduled the following day to minimise delays in treatment.

Prof. Dato’ Seri Dr. Ezani Mohamed Taib, Group Chief Executive Officer of IJN, said:

“IJN has always been committed to ensuring our expertise benefits not only patients in Kuala Lumpur but also those in every corner of the country. By expanding our services into Melaka, we are fulfilling that responsibility while giving international patients, especially from Sumatera, easier access to our care. This collaboration also reflects our vision of strengthening Malaysia’s position as a regional leader in advanced cardiac treatment.”

Beyond cardiac service delivery, the collaboration also focuses on building local healthcare capacity. IJN University College will roll out post-basic training and professional development programmes to ensure that Putra Specialist’s healthcare professionals benefit directly from IJN’s training ecosystem. At the same time, this partnership reinforces Malaysia’s role as a regional medical tourism hub. Melaka’s strategic location and established tourism infrastructure make it an ideal gateway for international patients from Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei who are seeking specialised cardiac care combined with world-class hospitality.

Encik Mohd Zahiruddin Bin Datuk Seri Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of Putra Specialist Hospital Melaka, said:

“This partnership with IJN is a proud milestone for Putra Specialist Hospital Melaka. Our patients can now access the very best in cardiology and cardiothoracic care without the need to travel far, while our healthcare teams benefit from knowledge-sharing and training with Malaysia’s leading heart centre. Together with IJN, we aim to strengthen Melaka’s position as a trusted destination for both local and international patients seeking specialised care.”

With implementation already underway, patients can expect expanded specialist clinics, elective and urgent cardiac procedures, staff training programmes, and joint promotional efforts to be introduced in the coming months. This collaboration reflects IJN’s long-term strategy to expand its footprint while reinforcing Malaysia’s reputation as a leader in advanced cardiac care across the region.

####

About lnstitut Jantung Negara (IJN)

 

lnstitut Jantung Negara (IJN) is Malaysia’s only discipline-specific heart specialist facility and one of the largest medical institutions in Malaysia. Set up in 1992, IJN is dedicated to the management and treatment of heart diseases by providing cardiology, paediatric cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery services for adults and children and to date, it has treated over 5 million heart patients.

 

After 3 decades of its establishment, IJN is reckoned to be among the best medical centres for cardiovascular and thoracic care in Malaysia and the region. IJN has kept abreast with the latest medical advances, from handling a simple hole in the heart surgery to heart and lungs transplantations.

 

As Malaysia’s premier and South East Asia’s largest Cardiac Centre, IJN is aggressively growing its presence, locally and regionally, on the back of a proven and respected brand name synonymous with quality heart healthcare.

 

 

For media enquiries, please contact:

 

 

View Full Media Release Document

Download PDF