Every year, heart diseases claim numerous lives across the world. The World Health Organization tells us that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in general are categorised as the world’s leading cause of death. CVDs on the whole have taken an estimated 17.9 million lives annually, or 32 percent of all deaths globally. Some 85 percent of deaths under this CVD category were due to heart attacks and strokes.
To combat this, healthcare systems across the world have continually developed their measures to manage the diseases. Malaysia’s history in cardiology begins in the 1960s, marking the beginning of cardiothoracic surgical services in Malaysia. Soon after, the National Heart Association of Malaysia was established to manage the burden of cardiovascular diseases through education, research and healthcare policies. As we progressed into the 1990s, heart care became available at private healthcare institutions and Malaysia’s National Heart Institute (Institut Jantung Negara) began demonstrating world-class breakthroughs in heart care.
Today, Malaysia has been positioned as the Cardiology Hub of Asia, affording patients within the region access to world-class quality heart care at competitive prices. With an abundance of world- class hospitals with strong reputations in cardiac care, coupled with the best medical expertise, technologies, and staff, Malaysia is poised to become a first-choice destination for heart patients across the Asia-Pacific and the wider world.
Malaysia is home to the first hospital outside of the United States of America to implant the Micra AV pacemaker, an implantable device for the treatment of a slow heart rate via pacing. The country is also the heart centre in the APAC region that was the first to have performed a successful “Bio-absorbable Pulmonary Valve (PV) Conduit” implant on three children with congenital heart defects (the 5th, 6th and, 7th patient in the world to undergo this surgery).
The Cardiology Hub of Asia has a total of a dozen key hospitals (including the Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur, Gleneagles Hospital Penang, and Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur) dedicated to heart disease treatment. In addition, a total of 48 hospitals out of 73 in Malaysia are members of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) have facilities that are equipped to cater to the demand for heart treatment, with over 200 cardiologists and 58 cardiothoracic surgeons.
At the helm of it all is the National Heart Institute (IJN), Malaysia’s leading cardiology hospital. This world-renowned, internationally accredited heart centre is also the largest independent cardiac centre in the entire Southeast Asian region. Since its establishment in 1992, the IJN has treated 3.7 million patients from various countries around the globe.
Throughout its decades of services, the IJN has set three different precedents for cardiology treatments in Malaysia, including Total Hybrid Aortic Arch Replacement, which is used to repair
aortic aneurysms. Before this unprecedented method, patients with aortic aneurysms had to undergo two separate procedures. Now, all that’s needed is one, significantly reducing the risks to the patient.
Even during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and understanding the seriousness of heart treatments, IJN is accepting patients while making sure safe and reliable health and hygiene protocols are adhered to. Overall, Malaysia’s commitment for quality in providing the best in clinical and service excellence has earned it the title as “The Heartbeat of Asia”.
Demonstrating a blend of medical expertise, state-of-the-art technology, and in-depth knowledge, Malaysia’s cardiology institutions have earned the trust and confidence of many patients both locally and abroad.
Today, Malaysia continues to enhance the patient experience to welcome healthcare travellers back to our shores by delivering a safe and trusted healthcare experience. If you are seeking treatment or any kind of professional medical consultation for heart disease, look no further than Malaysia. We are here to guide you every step of the way. Please visit www.malaysiahealthcare.org for more information.
Source: khmertimeskh.com
