Kota Kinabalu: The Society for the Sabah Heart Fund (SOSHF) has welcomed plans for the establishment of IJN Sabah and called for paediatric cardiac services to be prioritised at the new facility.
Its president, Datuk Eva Susau (pic) said bringing specialised cardiac care to Sabah would significantly improve survival and long-term outcomes for children born with heart defects.
SOSHF said the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Yayasan Sabah Group, through Innoprise Corporation Sdn Bhd, and the National Heart Institute (IJN) for the project reflects a commitment to strengthening healthcare access in the State.
It noted that children with congenital heart disease continue to face challenges, including long-distance travel, treatment delays, and financial and emotional strain on families.
SOSHF said the proposed centre in Likas, located near its halfway home, would improve access to care and support services, and urged the inclusion of dedicated paediatric cardiology, early screening systems, and sustained financial assistance for low-income families.
