IJN Leads Lifesaving Initiative In Pulau Tioman With AED Donation And Health Screening
The joint effort with RHB reflects the commitment to extend health care and community support beyond city centres, ensuring even the most remote populations have access to critical tools and knowledge.
Sultan Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, observes CPR training by staff of the National Heart Institute (IJN) at Tekek Klinik Kesihatan in Pulau Tioman, Pahang. Photo by IJN.
PULAU TIOMAN, August 15 — The National Heart Institute (IJN) yesterday strengthened Pulau Tioman’s emergency health care readiness with the handover of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to Tekek Klinik Kesihatan, alongside a community health outreach involving free basic health screenings and CPR/AED training.
The event was graced by Sultan Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, whose presence underscored the importance of access to lifesaving care in remote communities.
The AED was officially presented to Dr Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Muhammad, deputy director of the Pahang State Health Department, in a ceremony witnessed by the Sultan Pahang. This symbolic moment reflects a shared commitment between IJN and the Pahang State Health Department to strengthen emergency medical preparedness in rural and island communities.
Heart disease remains Malaysia’s leading cause of death, responsible for nearly 17 per cent of all fatalities. In cases of sudden cardiac arrest, every minute without intervention reduces the chance of survival by about 10 per cent.
If defibrillation is applied within the first three to five minutes, survival rates can reach as high as 70 per cent, compared to less than 10 per cent without immediate aid.
For Pulau Tioman’s residents, the AED represents a crucial first response tool. The island’s nearest district hospital is in Kuala Rompin, and the main referral hospital is in Kuantan, making rapid on-site intervention essential.
“Every second counts when a person’s heart stops. This AED gives the people of Kampung Tekek, and indeed the entire island, a fighting chance while waiting for advanced care,” said Prof Dr Mohamed Ezani Taib, Chief Executive Officer of IJN.
IJN Leads Lifesaving Initiative In Pulau Tioman With AED Donation And Health Screening
“We are proud to not only provide the device but also ensure the clinic staff are trained and confident to use it.”
The AED handover was part of a larger IJN-led health outreach. A 31-member IJN volunteer team–comprising doctors, nurses, and paramedics–conducted free health screenings for residents of Kampung Tekek.
The team also delivered practical CPR and AED usage training to clinic staff, equipping them with the skills to respond effectively in emergencies.
The initiative was made possible through the support of IJN’s strategic partner, RHB Banking Group, under its Ocean Harmony corporate social responsibility programme.
Adissadikin Ali, Managing Director and CEO of RHB Islamic Bank, was also present at the event, reflecting RHB’s continued commitment to community well-being. On the same day, RHB also hosted a financial literacy session at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tekek to empower local students with essential money management skills.
This joint effort reflects the shared commitment of IJN and RHB to extend health care and community support beyond city centres, ensuring even the most remote populations have access to critical tools and knowledge.
