IJN Recognised As World's Best Heart Centre, Says Outgoing Chairman

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- The National Heart Institute (IJN) is recognised as the best heart treatment centre in the world and its expertise has gained international recognition, said Tan Sri Mohamed Khatib Abdul Hamid, who completes his term as IJN chairman after four years.
IJN's achievements in heart treatment were recognised by many people even during his visit to Britain, Germany and Austria recently, he said.
"We went over there to seek their co-operation but, as it turned out, they were more eager to join hands and wanted to use the IJN brand to provide heart treatment services to other countries," he told Bernama Friday.
He also revealed the case of an Indonesian millionaire whose heart condition was detected only at the IJN and was later corrected.
"I leave IJN full of pride of its many achievements," said Mohamed Khatib, a former diplomat with 36 years in the foreign service.
Mohamed Khatib, 68, who hails from Perak, was chairman of the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre from 2003 to 2006.
He was also the special representative to the prime minister from 1992 to 2002 before being appointed IJN chairman.
He was also happy that he was able to fulfill the wish of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that IJN serve the poor as well as ensure that the specialist workforce did not leave the institute.
"Now, more than 82 per cent of IJN patients are sponsored as they are either retired or poor. In fact, even the rich get the best service from IJN and at a low price too.
"I am proud to say that in four years, only three doctors left IJN and that too for specific reasons," said Mohamed Khatib.
He added that the desire of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to see IJN achieve excellence globally has also been achieved.
In the four years at IJN, Mohamed Khatib was proud to have been of service to the public, including many friends, who came for heart treatment.
"I am proud to have been a part of IJN. Everybody here works as a team. Even the sweeper has a role at IJN," said Mohamed Khatib.