THE National Heart Institute (IJN) reached a benchmark achievement in its ongoing expansion journey with a ‘topping out’ ceremony, signalling the centre’s spirit of ongoing improvement in serving its patients and the wider community.

In a statement today, IJN said the new building, which is the first phase of its broader expansion plan, is aimed at strengthening the delivery of its services and enhancing patients’ hospital experience.

Construction in this first phase is focused on upgrading existing facilities to elevate the quality of services and support a work-life balance for IJN staff, it said, adding that the building is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2024.

The upgrades include a new smart multi-storey car park with facial and plate recognition technologies to improve security and convenience, involving a total of 1,221 parking bays, as well as additional special parking bays for disabled drivers and electric vehicles.

It also involves building a new state-of-the-art kitchen to replace the centre’s older facility, reflecting IJN’s commitment to patients’ well-being.

“Equipped with the latest appliances, the new kitchen is designed to accommodate 800 meals daily and provide a wider range of nutritious culinary offerings for local and international tastebuds, it said.

The upgrades also involved increasing the capacity of its existing surau, which is open to the public, to up to 2,000 attendees to a more comfortable and convenient prayer space, particularly during important occasions such as Friday prayer, Ramadan and Eid celebrations.

It will also see the current Childcare Centre for IJN staff moved closer to the centre’s premises on Jalan Tun Razak, thus reducing parents’ commuting times, but also give them peace of mind while they are engaged at work,” said IJN.

The Childcare Centre,  which will offer 24-hour services and a safe, conducive environment for children to learn, play, and grow,  is able to accommodate 150 children between the ages of two and six.

Upon completion of the building, IJN will continue with the second and final phase of expansion involving an 11-storey multi-disciplinary hospital equipped with cutting-edge technology, additional specialised clinics, cardiac labs and 120 beds.

This new 120-bed multidisciplinary hospital is scheduled to open its doors in 2027, it said, adding that the IJN’s overall expansion plan is aligned with the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework which emphasises an organisation’s ability to champion environmental sustainability, socially responsible practices and ethical governance.

Meanwhile, IJN chief executive officer Datuk Dr Aizai Azan Abdul Rahim, in the same statement,  said the expansion plan also served to complement IJN’s status as a finalist of the Flagship Medical Tourism Hospital Programme, which is a government-led initiative aimed at reinforcing Malaysia as a safe and trusted healthcare destination.

“By embracing ESG principles, we aspire to boost our healthcare services and evolve with the needs of our patients.

“In line with our mission to provide accessible and high-quality care, we’re always eager to contribute to the betterment of society and the environment,” he added.

Today’s event was marked with the planting of trees at the site of IJN’s upcoming healthcare facility.

Leading the tree-planting were IJN Holdings chairman Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and IJN Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Rozali A Wathooth and Dr AIzai Azan. — BERNAMA