By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will be working with the National Heart Institute (IJN) to have its stand-alone heart hospital here.
Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd (ICSB) executive chairman Datuk Jasnih Daya said a 4.047ha site in Likas, which is near to the Sabah Women and Children's hospital, has been gazetted for the project.
"For the project, ICSB is an implementer. The reason for building the hospital is very simple — we do not have enough institutions nor doctors to handle heart problems.
"That's why the first approach is to get IJN to agree to collaborate with us. Once IJN collaborates with us, the next steps will actually be easier," he told reporters following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with IJN at Sabah International Convention Centre here.
ICSB is a subsidiary of Sabah-owned Yayasan Sabah Group.
Present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Minister Julita Mojungki, and IJN Sdn Bhd chairman Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
Jasnih said, as healthcare related to cardiovascular services is a specialised industry, the state would allow IJN to take the lead on the technical aspects including building designs.
"As for how many floors or bedding, we have yet come to a conclusion. Ideally, an IJN hospital requires a big building, the funding will come from the Sabah government, Yayasan Sabah and IJN.
"The chief minister wants the hospital to (start) as soon as possible. We expect the ground breaking ceremony to take place the latest by early next year," he said, adding they have yet to confirm the name of the hospital.
Meanwhile, IJN chief executive officer Professor Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib said the institute has begun early groundwork for the proposed Sabah heart institute, including training personnel and planning a phased rollout of services.
He said 15 trainees are currently undergoing clinical exposure in outpatient care as part of initial preparations, even before the construction of the facility is finalised.
"The idea is that we do not want to wait until the building is completed.
"With the combination of IJN University College and University College Sabah Foundation, we will be able to plan better as there will be a teaching facility.
"We aim to transfer knowledge and introduce relevant courses," he said, adding that the project will be implemented in phases, beginning with outpatient and diagnostic services using existing facilities, before expanding to inpatient care and specialised procedures.
The senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon also said training takes years.
He added that nurses require about three years, and an additional two to three years to specialise in cardiac care while doctors can take between eight to 10 years.
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