Sabah to Get First IJN Heart Hospital

6 April 2026

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is set to 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 today.

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

Hajiji, who is also Chairman of the Yayasan Sabah Board of Trustees, said the establishment of the state’s first dedicated heart hospital reflects the government’s commitment to providing high-quality healthcare for the people.

Under the strategic collaboration, a specialist hospital focusing on cardiovascular treatment will be built on a 10-acre site in Likas.

ICSB Executive Chairman Datuk Jasnih Daya said the development of a high-standard heart hospital in Sabah would reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the state, thereby lowering travel costs and enabling quicker access to specialist care.

“This initiative will also complement the existing healthcare system in Sabah, including services at the Sabah Heart Centre at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, which currently faces capacity constraints relative to demand,” he said.

Jasnih added that the collaboration would not only enhance access to healthcare but also contribute to economic growth and create employment opportunities in the state.

IJN Chairman Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said heart disease remains the leading cause of death in Malaysia, underscoring the need for a more responsive and integrated healthcare system.

“Access to high-quality treatment must be expanded so that it can be more widely available, regardless of geographical location,” he said.

He added that the establishment of the IJN hospital in Sabah is also expected to boost the state’s health tourism sector by offering world-class medical services at competitive costs.

The MoU was signed on behalf of Yayasan Sabah Group by its Director Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar and ICSB Executive Chairman Datuk Jasnih Daya, 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, a separate MoU was signed between University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF) and IJN University College, aimed at fostering the development of a skilled and professional healthcare workforce in the future.

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