Hope Across Borders: IJN Becomes Top Destination for Indonesian Heart Patients

IJN continues to provide advanced, compassionate heart care trusted by thousands of Indonesian families.

 

KUALA LUMPUR, 26 JULY 2025 – As the largest standalone cardiac hospital in Southeast Asia, Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) has become a beacon of hope for thousands of Indonesian families seeking quality heart care abroad. With more than three decades of clinical excellence and over six million patients treated, IJN stands as a trusted destination for those seeking reliable, high-quality, and compassionate treatment for a wide range of heart conditions  from congenital heart disease in children to complex coronary interventions in adults.

 

Each year, IJN receives over 2,000 patients from Indonesia, particularly from major cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya, and Medan. These patients often arrive in search of second opinions, minimally invasive treatment options, or advanced procedures not readily available in their local healthcare systems. Known in Indonesia as Rumah Sakit Pakar Jantung IJN Malaysia, the hospital has become synonymous with medical integrity, modern technology, and results-driven care.

 

“Our strength lies not only in our clinical expertise, but in the way, we prioritise each patient’s journey with deep care and personalised attention,” said Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, Group Chief Executive Officer of IJN. “Indonesian patients come to us because they trust our experience and feel genuinely heard. We take the time to understand their concerns, walk them through every option, and ensure they are treated not just as patients, but as partners in their care. At IJN, surgery is never the first solution it is a carefully considered decision, made only when truly necessary.”

 

Since its establishment in 1992, IJN has evolved into a world-class, comprehensive cardiac centre, offering full-spectrum care for patients of all ages from newborns to the elderly. Its multidisciplinary team of highly trained specialists includes not only cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, but also experts in vascular surgery, pulmonary hypertension, renal hypertension, cardiac imaging, electrophysiology, and heart failure management. This wide-ranging expertise allows IJN to address both simple and highly complex heart-related conditions with precision and depth.

 

Always at the forefront of innovation, IJN continues to lead the region in introducing advanced, life-saving procedures. It was the first hospital in Malaysia to successfully implant a Paediatric Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), offering hope to children with end-stage heart failure. For adult patients, IJN remains a pioneer in delivering cutting-edge therapies, such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) and robotic-assisted cardiac surgery — modern techniques that enable faster recovery, lower risk, and a better quality of life for patients who may not be suitable for open-heart surgery.

 

Reinforcing its leadership in medical excellence, IJN has been selected as one of only four hospitals in Malaysia under the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council’s (MHTC) Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Programme — a prestigious initiative under the five-year Malaysia Healthcare Travel Industry Blueprint. This exclusive programme is designed to elevate Malaysia’s position as a global healthcare destination by recognising top institutions with outstanding clinical outcomes, international accreditation, and comprehensive patient care services. IJN’s inclusion reflects its proven commitment to delivering world-class cardiac care and seamless experiences for international patients, particularly those from Indonesia.

 

Beyond clinical care, IJN is also a respected training and knowledge-sharing hub for cardiology in the region. It collaborates closely with leading Indonesian hospitals, such as Rumah Sakit Pusat Pertamina and Harapan Kita National Cardiovascular Centre, to exchange expertise, co-manage patient cases, and provide access to second opinions. Through fellowship programmes, workshops, and academic partnerships, IJN continues to build capacity for cardiac care not just in Malaysia, but across ASEAN. These collaborations ensure that patients benefit from a shared network of regional expertise, regardless of where they begin their treatment journey.

 

As part of its ongoing engagement with the Indonesian healthcare community, IJN hosted a private dinner in Jakarta with H.E. Dato’ Syed Mohamad Hasrin Tengku Hussin, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of Indonesia. The event brought together cardiologists, senior clinicians, and Indonesian alumni of IJN’s training programmes, many of whom have gone on to strengthen cardiac services in their home institutions. The gathering underscored the longstanding bond between IJN and Indonesia’s medical fraternity, united by a shared goal of improving heart health across the region.

 

What sets IJN apart from many other institutions is its commitment to providing world-class care at an affordable cost. As a government-linked hospital under Malaysia’s Ministry of Finance, IJN practices a transparent and controlled pricing structure. International patients, including those from Indonesia, pay the same fees as Malaysian citizens, with no added markup. This accessibility, paired with internationally accredited standards and a high success rate, makes IJN one of the most cost-effective choices for heart care in the region.

 

“Affordable does not mean compromised. At IJN, we deliver the highest standards of safety and quality at a fraction of the cost compared to many regional hospitals,” added Prof. Ezani. “This is healthcare with heart accessible, safe, and ethical.”

 

To ensure a smooth and reassuring journey for its foreign patients, IJN offers comprehensive support through its dedicated International Patient Centre (IPC). From pre-arrival consultations and visa coordination to translation services and post-treatment follow-up, IPC staff many of whom speak Bahasa Indonesia guide patients and families every step of the way. For Indonesian families, the familiar language, shared culture, and Muslim-friendly facilities also make IJN a welcoming place to receive care in a foreign country.

 

“There is always hope,” said Prof. Ezani. “And for many Indonesians, that hope begins with a journey to IJN  where their heart will be treated with the same care and compassion as we would give to our own.”

 

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