National Heart Institute to open Sabah hospital at 10-acre Likas site

KOTA KINABALU (April 6): Sabah will soon have its own National Heart Institute (IJN) Hospital, which will be built on a 10-acre site in Likas.

This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Yayasan Sabah Group investment arm Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB) and IJN at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here.

ICSB executive chairman Datuk Jasnih Daya said with the establishment of a high-standard heart hospital here, patients will no longer need to rely entirely on facilities outside the state, thereby reducing travel costs and expediting access to specialist treatment.

“This initiative will also help support the existing healthcare system in Sabah, including services at the Sabah Heart Centre at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, which currently has limited capacity compared to the actual needs of the people,” he said.

According to him, the strategic collaboration will benefit Sabahans not only in terms of improved access to healthcare, but also in terms of economic development and job opportunities.

IJN chairman Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Malaysia, and this trend highlights the growing need for a more responsive and integrated healthcare system.

Therefore, he said, access to high-quality treatment must be expanded so it can be enjoyed more widely regardless of geographical location.

Dr Noor Hisham said Sabah’s IJN Hospital would also open up a new market in health tourism, offering world-class medical services at affordable prices.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, who is also Yayasan Sabah Board of Trustees chairman, witnessed the MoU signing.

He said the setting up of the first heart hospital in Sabah is a manifestation of the government’s commitment to provide the best healthcare for the people.

Signing on behalf of Yayasan Sabah Group were director Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar and ICSB executive chairman Datuk Jasnih Daya, while IJN was represented by group chief executive officer Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib and clinical chief officer Datuk Dr Shaiful Azmi Yahaya.

At the same event, the University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) also inked an MoU with IJN University College, which is expected to open opportunities for the development of a skilled and professional workforce in the healthcare sector in future.

UCSF was represented by vice chancellor Datuk Dr Rafiq Idris and registrar Norashikin Ahmad, while IJN University College was represented by vice chancellor Prof Emerita Dr Durrishah and IJN deputy chief executive officer Datuk Akmal Arief Fauzi.