Sabah To Have IJN Hospital, Strengthening Access To Cardiac Care

KOTA KINABALU, April 6 (Bernama) -- Sabah will have a world-class heart hospital in Likas here, following a strategic partnership between Yayasan Sabah Group and IJN Sdn Bhd, to be developed on a four-hectare site specifically gazetted for the project.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who is also the Yayasan Sabah Board of Trustees, said this collaboration is expected to establish and expand cardiac treatment centres in the state.

“It is hoped that this effort becomes a reality and further empowers access to cardiac healthcare services in Sabah,” he told reporters after witnessing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony for the development of Hospital IJN Sabah between the two agencies here today.

Yayasan Sabah Group was represented by its director, Datuk Seri Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar, and Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd executive chairman, Datuk Jasnih Daya, while IJN Group Sdn Bhd was represented by its chief executive officer, Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, and clinical chief officer, Datuk Dr Saiful Azmi Yahaya.

Also signed at the event was an MoU between University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) and IJN University College for cooperation in health education.

Meanwhile, IJN chairman Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, in his speech, said the signing of the MoU reflects a strategic step forward in empowering healthcare services and human capital development in Sabah.

“To ensure the effectiveness of the national healthcare system, we must move beyond a centralised approach. Access to high-quality treatment must be expanded so that it can be enjoyed more comprehensively, regardless of geographical location.

“In this regard, this strategic collaboration is an important step towards realising that vision, which is to extend cardiovascular expertise and services to Sabah through a more holistic and sustainable approach.

“What we aim to build is not merely a treatment facility, but an integrated health ecosystem encompassing clinical treatment, professional training, research, and the development of local expertise,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham added that IJN is also committed to sharing expertise in treatment, technology, clinical systems, and hospital management to ensure the new services meet high standards and prioritise patient safety.

“I also see this collaboration as a key opportunity to strengthen healthcare workforce development.

“The partnership between UCSF and IJN University College opens doors and opportunities for knowledge exchange, clinical training, and the development of academic programmes relevant to the current needs of the healthcare industry,” he said.

Dr Noor Hisham said this effort is crucial because the sustainability of a healthcare system depends not only on infrastructure but also on the availability of a competent, highly skilled workforce ready to face future health challenges.

For Jasnih, the construction of an IJN hospital in Sabah is a strategic move expected to bring various benefits to the people, while also supporting the Sabah Heart Centre at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, which currently has limited capacity to meet the state's needs.

“With a high-standard heart hospital in Sabah, patients will no longer have to rely entirely on facilities outside the state, thereby reducing travel cost burdens and accelerating access to specialist treatment,” he said.

-- BERNAMA