Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad gives his address at the IJN Jubilant Journey Dinner 2018 in Kuala Lumpur November 2, 2018. — Bernama picKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 — The nation’s healthcare providers can help turn medical tourism as a major income driver for the country’s economy, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.“In this respect, the National Heart Institute (IJN) is an excellent example of being a competitive international player. I believe this has been reflected in the global accolades the centre has received so far.“It was deemed as the International Specialist Patient Centre of the Year at the International Medical Travel Journal (IMTJ) Medical Travel Awards 2018, the Best Cardiology Provider for the third year running since 2016 by Global Healthcare Travel Council and the CSR Malaysia Award that honoured IJN for its contribution in the socio-economic transformation of the country (in 2016 and 2018),” he said in his speech at the IJN Jubilant Journey Dinner 2018, here, tonight.Also present were Dr Mahathir’s wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad, IJN Chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohd Nasir Mohd Asyraf, IJN Foundation Chairman Toh Puan Datuk Seri Dr Aisyah Ong and IJN Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Dr Azhari Yakub.Dr Mahathir said the public sector would remain the cornerstone of the country’s healthcare while the government remained fully committed to continue investing in healthcare to ensure that essential medical services remain accessible.“For that, the government will continue supporting IJN in its efforts to provide quality healthcare and treatment to all Malaysians regardless of their social status or economic background,” he said.On a more personal note, Dr Mahathir expressed his gratitude to IJN for the care they have shown to him as a patient.“As a trained doctor myself, I believe that medical care is more than just modern infrastructure and technical skills... it is also about providing the human touch of empathy and kindness.“For my last bypass in particular, my special thanks go to Senior Consultant Cardiologist Tan Sri Dr Robaayah Zambahari, Chief Cardiothoracic Surgeon Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub, Senior Consultant Anaesthesiologist Datuk Dr Mohamed Hassan Ariff and many others who have contributed to my well-being including former heart surgeons of IJN, nurses and support staff,” he said.Dr Mahathir said he has faith that IJN will continue to achieve an impressive record and will never disappoint.Souce: MalayMail
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Muhammad Rasydan Ma’at
Asst. Manager, Communications
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Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), established in 2009 under the purview of the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia, is entrusted with developing and nurturing the “Malaysia Healthcare” brand. MHTC enhances, coordinates, and promotes Malaysia’s healthcare travel industry by fostering industry collaborations and building valuable public-private partnerships both domestically and internationally. With 80 member hospitals nationwide, MHTC continues to elevate the healthcare travel ecosystem through strong branding, seamless patient experiences, and strategic market initiatives. In line with these efforts, MHTC is spearheading the Malaysia Year of Medical Tourism (MYMT) 2026, the nation’s first dedicated year to celebrate and advance healthcare travel. MYMT 2026 serves as a milestone initiative to showcase Malaysia’s world-class healthcare offerings, strengthen its position as the premier global healthcare destination, and highlight the industry’s significant contribution to the national economy. More information can be found at https://www.mhtc.org.my/.
