KPJ Healthcare Launches First Neuroscience and Stroke Centre of Excellence at DSH2 under KPJ Health System

6 March 2026

KUALA LUMPUR: KPJ Healthcare Berhad has announced the opening of its first Neuroscience and Stroke Centre of Excellence (CoE) at Damansara Specialist Hospital 2 (DSH2), marking the second such Centre established under the KPJ Health System (KPJHS). This development significantly enhances the Group’s specialised capabilities in complex neurological and stroke care.

The creation of the Neuroscience and Stroke CoE represents a major advancement for KPJHS, integrating structured clinical pathways into high-acuity specialties that demand rapid coordination across emergency services, imaging, intensive care, and rehabilitation.

This initiative underscores the Group’s ongoing commitment to strengthening specialised services while maintaining consistent quality standards across its network.

The Centre brings together multidisciplinary teams spanning neurology, neurosurgery, emergency medicine, radiology, intensive care, and rehabilitation within a coordinated system designed specifically for neurological emergencies.

This integrated model facilitates quicker decision-making, timely interventions, and seamless continuity of care throughout the critical stages of stroke treatment and recovery.

Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim, President and Chief Executive of Johor Corporation (JCorp) and Chairman of KPJ Healthcare University, stated, "The establishment of this Centre of Excellence marks a significant milestone in our journey to develop the KPJ Health System into a fully integrated ecosystem connecting hospitals, education, and research. By strengthening clinical protocols, fostering innovation, and benchmarking against global leaders, we are building a system that delivers improved patient outcomes while remaining future-ready. Our vision is clear: to position KPJ Healthcare among the leading institutions shaping the future of healthcare in the region."

Chin Keat Chyuan, President and Managing Director of KPJ Healthcare, added, "This Centre enhances our operational capacity to manage complex neurological emergencies within a coordinated system framework. By aligning specialised facilities, clinical expertise, and structured governance, we ensure timely intervention and continuous care, reaffirming our commitment to Care for Life."

The DSH2 CoE offers an integrated stroke pathway, from immediate activation in the Emergency Department through hyperacute intervention, critical care, and early rehabilitation. The Centre provides 24-hour access to advanced CT and MRI imaging, alongside mechanical thrombectomy services for acute stroke cases. DSH2 has achieved the international benchmark of door-to-needle thrombolysis—administering clot-dissolving treatment within 60 minutes through streamlined hyperacute workflows.

The Centre’s protocols for stroke and critical care are aligned with evidence-based medicine and adhere to Mayo Clinic Care Network (MCCN) standards, including the adoption of the CERTAIN (Checklist for Early Recognition and Treatment of Acute Illness and Injury) framework, which supports standardised ICU workflows and structured clinical oversight in managing complex neurological emergencies such as stroke.

Through its MCCN membership, DSH2 benefits from access to clinical benchmarking resources and knowledge exchange, fostering continuous quality improvement in neurological care.

Rehabilitation begins early in the acute phase and is personalised, supported by standardised clinical assessments, a dedicated Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Lab, and robotic-assisted therapy to promote functional recovery and long-term independence.

A dedicated Stroke Nurse Navigator offers a single point of contact, coordinating patient care from emergency admission through rehabilitation and post-discharge follow-up.

Beyond acute stroke management, the Centre enhances subspecialty services in movement disorders and Parkinson’s disease, supported by neurology and neurosurgery expertise, with plans to incorporate Deep Brain Stimulation in future developments. The facility features SMART Ward technology and PACS-enabled digital integration for real-time monitoring, documentation, and multidisciplinary collaboration.

The CoE framework serves as a model for developing neuro and stroke services across the KPJ network. In addition to clinical care, the Centre supports structured education, training initiatives, and clinical research in neurology and stroke management under KPJHS. It also contributes to the advancement of digitally enabled stroke care solutions in partnership with KPJ Healthcare University, reaffirming the Group’s dedication to innovation in neurological healthcare.

This launch aligns with KPJ Healthcare’s strategic roadmap to establish 15 Centres of Excellence by 2030 under the KPJHS.