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Kota Kinabalu: Sabah will soon have its own National Heart Institute (IJN) Hospital following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Yayasan Sabah Group through its investment arm, Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB), and IJN.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor witnessed the MoU signing ceremony at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Monday.

Hajiji, who is also Chairman of the Yayasan Sabah Board of Trustees, 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.

Under the strategic cooperation, a hospital dedicated to cardiovascular disease treatments would be built on a 10-acre site in Likas.

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 Jasnih, the strategic collaboration will benefit the people of Sabah 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 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.

At the same time, Dr Noor Hisham said the opening of the IJN Hospital in Sabah would also open up a new market in health tourism, offering world-class medical services at affordable prices.

Signing on behalf of Yayasan Sabah Group were Director Dato’ Sri Ghulamhaidar Khan Bahadar and Jasnih, while IJN was represented by its Group Chief Executive Officer Prof Dato Sri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib and Clinical Chief Officer Datuk Dr Shaiful Azmi Yahaya.

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

UCSF was represented by its Vice Chancellor Datuk Dr Rafiq Idris and Registrar Norashikin Ahmad, while Vice Chancellor Prof Emerita Dr Durrishah and IJN Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dato Akmal Arief Fauzi signed on behalf of IJN University College.