Kuala Lumpur, 20 July 2025 – Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) today honoured its NGO and corporate donors in a heartfelt appreciation ceremony, recognising their contributions in sponsoring life-saving treatment for underprivileged heart patients. The event was held in conjunction with a special tribute to celebrate the 100th birthday of IJN’s founding visionary, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, and the 99th birthday of Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.

 

The NGO Appreciation Hi-Tea, hosted at Sofitel Kuala Lumpur brought together 21 non-governmental organisations and key corporate partners whose support has enabled hundreds of patients to access timely and essential cardiac care at IJN.

 

In 2024 alone, over RM 49.9 million was raised through the collective efforts of the Government of Malaysia (via Unit Taksiran Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia – UTKKKM), the IJN Foundation, and 17 NGOs, directly benefitting 2,517 patients. So far in 2025, an additional RM 20,702,470 has already been channeled to support more patients in need.

 

The event accorded special recognition to the Ministry of Health Malaysia for its enduring partnership through UTK-KKM, which has been instrumental in financing the treatment of a substantial number of IJN’s underprivilege patients. This crucial collaboration serves as a key enabler in ensuring equitable access to cardiac care, irrespective of patients’ financial circumstances.

 

IJN Group Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, in his speech, extended heartfelt thanks to all partners, stating

 

“Behind every ringgit donated is a beating heart that continues to live, love, and contribute to society. We are proud to work with partners who make healing possible not just through medical expertise, but through generosity and care.”

 

Also present were representatives from:

  1. UNIT TAKSIRAN KHAS KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN MALAYSIA
  2. IJN FOUNDATION
  3. LEMBAGA ZAKAT SELANGOR
  4. ONE HOPE CHARITY & WELFARE
  5. MAJLIS AGAMA ISLAM WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN
  6. SOCIETY FOR THE SABAH HEART FUND
  7. MAYBANK FOUNDATION
  8. YAYASAN TENAGA NASIONAL BERHAD
  9. KITAFUND
  10. STAR FOUNDATION
  11. CCEP FOUNDATION
  12. YAYASAN JANTUNG KONGENITAL MALAYSIA
  13. YAYASAN CHOW KIT
  14. SINAR HARIAN
  15. NEW STRAITS TIMES PRESS
  16. MAJLIS AGAMA ISLAM NEGERI JOHOR
  17. MAJLIS UGAMA ISLAM & ADAT RESAM MELAYU PAHANG

 

The celebration also included a special storytelling session by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who shared the vision and challenges behind the founding of IJN in the early 1990s. IJN was established under his leadership with a mission to provide world-class cardiac care for all Malaysians, regardless of status or income level.

 

In his tribute, Prof. Dato’ Sri Dr. Mohamed Ezani added:

 

“Tun’s vision gave Malaysia an institution where lives could be saved without discrimination. And Tun Hasmah’s lifelong dedication to medicine and family health remains an inspiration. It is our honour to care for them both, just as they have cared for this country.”

 

IJN continues to call on more organisations and individuals to partner in its mission through contributions to the IJN Foundation or through direct NGO collaborations, particularly for high-needs groups such as children, retirees, and the underserved.

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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:

 

Corporate Communication

📞Tel:
+603-2600 6316
/
+603-2600 6308
/
+603-2600 3646

📧Email:
ccd@ijn.com.my

 

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