HEART-health awareness and early screening initiatives could be extended across Kuala Lumpur through closer cooperation between the National Heart Institute (IJN), the Federal Territories administration and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
IJN acting group chief executive Datuk Dr Shaiful Azmi Yahaya said the institute was ready to contribute its specialist expertise to public education and preventive healthcare programmes, using the city's facilities, community networks and transport infrastructure.
He said the collaboration could help encourage early detection and healthier lifestyles, rather than limiting healthcare efforts to treating patients after they became ill.
“We are ready to contribute IJN's expertise and experience towards initiatives that bring heart-health education, awareness and prevention closer to the people of Kuala Lumpur,” he said at the launch of the MRT Raja Uda–Institut Jantung Negara station branding on Thursday.
Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said she wanted to explore working with IJN on heart-health awareness and early screening in the capital.
The station branding, which places IJN's name on signage, route maps and onboard announcements along the MRT Putrajaya Line, is intended to make it easier for patients and visitors to identify the station serving the hospital.
Yeoh said improving access should also include the journey from the station to the hospital, particularly for senior citizens and people with limited mobility.
She welcomed DBKL's commitment to sponsor a covered pedestrian walkway towards IJN.
The proposed walkway builds on IJN's earlier efforts to improve access, including a pedestrian bridge across Sungai Bunus completed in 2022, which provides an alternative route to the hospital via the Yayasan Selangor building.
MRT Corp chief executive Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the station branding would strengthen the link between public transport and essential services, while giving IJN greater visibility among commuters.
The branding agreement was exchanged at Transport Expo Asia 2026, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre from Oct 20 to 22. - October 30, 2026
