IJN honours life-saving donors, celebrates Tun Mahathir's 100th birthday
KUALA LUMPUR - Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) paid tribute to the generous individuals and organisations who have played a vital role in saving lives by supporting treatment for underprivileged heart patients on Sunday.
The appreciation ceremony also marked a significant moment in IJN's history as it celebrated the 100th birthday of its founding visionary, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the 99th birthday of Tun Dr Hasmah Mohamad Ali.
Held at a hotel here, the NGO Appreciation Hi-Tea brought together representatives from 21 non-governmental organisations and key corporate donors whose continuous support has helped hundreds of patients receive critical cardiac care.
Their contributions, through the IJN Foundation and direct partnerships, have made a tangible impact on the lives of many families. Among the organisations recognised were Lembaga Zakat Selangor, One Hope Charity & Welfare, Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan, Yayasan Tenaga Nasional, Maybank Foundation, KitaFund, Sinar Harian, Star Foundation, NSTP and others from various states and sectors.
In 2024 alone, over RM49.9 million was raised through collaborative efforts involving the Government of Malaysia via Unit Taksiran Khas Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia (UTKKKM), the IJN Foundation and 17 NGOs.
These funds directly benefited 2,517 patients. As of mid-2025, a further RM20.7 million has already been channelled to support ongoing treatment for those in need.
Special recognition was given to the Health Ministry for its consistent support through UTKKKM, a partnership that continues to be critical in providing equitable access to treatment for underprivileged patients.
IJN Group Chief Executive Officer Professor Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib said his team were proud to work with partners who made healing possible, not just through medical expertise, but through generosity and care.
'In 2024, the IJN Foundation funded 938 patients, amounting to RM8.4 million, covering a wide range of cardiac procedures, including congenital heart defect surgeries in children, valve replacements in elderly patients, and urgent interventional procedures in high-risk cases.
'This would not have been possible without the many generous souls who contribute year after year to the Foundation's cause. Your donations, no matter the amount, translate directly into lives saved and families kept whole,' he said in his speech.
Among the organisations recognised were Lembaga Zakat Selangor, One Hope Charity & Welfare, Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan, Yayasan Tenaga Nasional, Maybank Foundation, KitaFund, Sinar Harian, Star Foundation, NSTP and others from various states and sectors.
Dr Ezani highlighted that the very foundation of IJN was built on Tun Dr Mahathir's vision for a cardiac centre that offers both world-class expertise and equal access to care for all Malaysians. The appreciation ceremony also marked a significant moment in IJN's history as it celebrated the 100th birthday of its founding visionary, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the 99th birthday of Tun Dr Hasmah Mohamad Ali.
'It was Tun who saw the need for a national heart institute that would provide not just world-class care, but equitable access.
'An institution where the most advanced medical procedures are available, not just to the wealthy, but to all Malaysians. And today, as we see patients from every corner of the country, from every walk of life, walk through our doors and walk out healthier, we are reminded that this dream has become a living, breathing reality,' he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
30-07-2025
- The Star
RM595mil spent on treating IJN patients
SOME RM595mil was spent treating patients at the National Heart Institute (IJN) last year, with the bulk comprising government pensioners, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Of the 44.257 patients treated there last year, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (pic) said 26,782 were pensioners with treatment amounting to RM358mil. Some 16,303 patients treated last year were civil servants whose treatment amounted to RM200mil, while the remaining 1,172 comprised patients from low-income backgrounds with treatment coming to RM37mil. 'This shows that the government continues to fund pensioners as well as patients from low-income groups requiring treatment only available at IJN,' Dr Dzulkefly said in a written reply yesterday. He explained that treatment at IJN can be considered if the patient has received prior treatment at a government hospital and was later referred by either a government hospital general physician, cardiologist or emergency specialist. 'In emergencies, pensioners and civil servants can seek treatment at private hospitals, including IJN, subject to guidelines stated in related circulars. 'For patients from low-income backgrounds, government subsidies are subject to a socioeconomic evaluation by Health Ministry officers.' Dr Dzulkefly was responding to a question by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera), who asked if IJN still has a welfare fund to assist underprivileged patients. Separately, the Health Minister said some 157,285 medical staff served at Health Ministry facilities nationwide as of March 31 this year. This comprised 38,955 medical officers (69,890 nurses, 19,885 assistant medical officers, 12,899 pharmacists, 8,635 specialists and 7,021 dental officers). Of the total, 135,108 were employed as permanent staff while the remaining 22,195 were on contract. Dr Dzulkefly said the ministry and federal agencies are also conducting an intake of 27,724 medical officers, nurses, assistant medical officers, pharmacists, specialists and dental officers, in stages. In a written reply to Zahari Kechik (IND-Jeli) who asked about the number of healthcare workers currently in service, Dr Dzulkefly said there is currently one doctor, including specialist, for every 46 people; one dental officer for every 2,343 people; one pharmacist for every 1,626 people: one nurse for every 282 people and one assistant medical officer for every 1,326 people.
New Straits Times
29-07-2025
- New Straits Times
Govt continues to fund retirees, underprivileged at IJN
KUALA LUMPUR" The government continues to finance retirees and underprivileged patients who require treatments that are not available at government hospitals, enabling them to seek care at the National Heart Institute (IJN). Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the government sponsored a total of 44,257 patients at IJN last year. This includes 26,782 retirees, 16,303 government officers, and 1,172 underprivileged patients. "The treatment cost for these patients at IJN last year amounted to RM595 million, where RM358 million was for retirees, RM200 million for government staff, and RM37 million for underprivileged patients. "This data clearly shows that the government is still financing retirees and underprivileged patients who require treatments that not available at government hospitals to seek care at IJN," he said in a written parliamentary reply. He was responding to a question from Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN–Bera), who asked whether IJN still has a welfare fund to assist underprivileged patients, as it is understood that the fund has since been abolished. Dzulkefly explained that the patient must first seek treatment at a government hospital and be referred by a general physician/cardiologist/emergency medicine specialist at the government hospital to IJN. "In emergencies, retirees and government staff may seek treatment at private hospitals, including IJN, subject to the terms and procedures stipulated in the applicable circulars. "Additionally, for underprivileged patients, approval for government subsidies is subject to a socioeconomic assessment by the medical social welfare officer from the Health Ministry," he said. Last year, it was reported that the Health Ministry was discharging all civil servants and pensioners to cardiac centres operated by the ministry due to the government's cost-cutting measures. The ministry acknowledged that prudent cost control measures were necessary due to the annual increase in expenses resulting from patient referrals to IJN. However, it said that patients were only discharged from IJN when their conditions were stable, with a monitoring period of at least six months to a year for adults, and one to two years for children.
The Star
29-07-2025
- The Star
RM595mil spent on treating patients at IJN in 2024, Dzulkefly tells Dewan Rakyat
KUALA LUMPUR: Some RM595 mil was spent treating patients at the National Heart Institute (IJN) last year, with the bulk comprising federal government pensioners, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Of the 44,257 patients treated there last year, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said 26,782 were pensioners with treatment amounting to RM358mil. Some 16,303 patients, meanwhile, were civil servants with treatment costs amounting to RM200mil while the remaining 1,172 comprised patients from low-income backgrounds, with treatment here coming to RM37mil. "This clearly shows that the government still funds pensioners and also patients from low-income groups that require treatment only available at IJN,' he said in a written reply dated Tuesday (July 29). Dzulkefly explained that treatment at IJN can be considered if the patient had received prior treatment at a government hospital and wsa later referred by either a government hospital general physician, cardiologist or emergency specialist to IJN. 'In emergencies, pensioners and civil servants can seek treatment at private hospitals, including IJN, subject to guidelines stated in related circulars. 'For patients from low-income backgrounds, government subsidies are subject to a socioeconomic evaluation by Health Ministry officers,' he said. Dzulkefly was responding to a question by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera) who asked if IJN still has a welfare fund to assist poor patients.
