National Heart Institute dismisses privatisation claim

KUALA LUMPUR: National Heart Institute (IJN) has clarified that it has never been privatised and still remains a corporatised entity that is fully owned by the government under the Minister of Finance Incorporated.
 
Responding to a recent write-up by “Concern Pensioners” claiming that IJN has been privatised and refuses to give treatment to retired civil servants, the heart specialist institution said its commitment to providing excellent healthcare to government employees has not wavered.
 
It also strives to offer the highest level of medical care to all patients, regardless of background.
 
“IJN takes seriously the accusation in the recent write-up by “Concern Pensioners” that has been circulating in social media and WhatsApp’s platforms as the contents were inaccurate and unjustified to the organisation.
 
“We value the unwavering support of the government employees and retirees who have been with us since the early days of IJN. Their contributions have been instrumental in shaping IJN into what it is today; our commitment to Malaysians’ well-being and health remains steadfast,” it said in a statement today.
 
In the write-up, it was said that IJN is redirecting its patients to other hospitals, including former government employees, as it is transitioning to private care.
 
The institute said while they operate privately under the Malaysian Private Healthcare Facilities and Services Act 1998 under the purview of the Health Ministry, their primary mission remains to provide exceptional medical services to all Malaysians, including government employees, retirees, and citizens from various sectors, as well as patients from neighbouring countries.
 
However, to seek treatment in their centre, IJN said the Public Service Department (JPA) has outlined that all government employees, pensioners, and their dependents must get a referral from a physician, cardiologist, or emergency physician from the government, private hospitals, or clinics.
 
“Patients with government GL may refer to the JPA circular Appendix SR. 2.1.1 (G) provided in the official MyPPSM portal or refer to their human resources on the process, as every government agency has its own terms and requirements on their employee’s eligibility and coverage when seeking treatment at our centre.
 
“As such, following a circular issued by the Health director-general on guidelines for follow-up treatment at IJN for government-dependent patients, they are to be discharged to the referring hospital 12 months after undergoing a procedure or surgery.
 
“This is provided the patient requires continuous follow-up treatment and management,” it said, adding the institute is obligated to follow the guidelines regulated by the Health Ministry.
 
Meanwhile, IJN also said that approximately 84.7 per cent of their workload comprises patients from the government sector (employees, pensioners, and their dependents), 14.9 per cent are private paying patients (insurance coverage and cash), and another 0.4 per cent are foreign patients. – BERNAMA