March-April. 2025 | The HEALTH

This escalating issue not only imposes a significant financial burden but also results in premature fatalities, disrupts families, and adversely affects the quality of life for countless Malaysians.

In response to this urgent challenge, the National Heart Institute( IJN) launched the second edition of the IJN Heart Failure Conference 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

The event, officiated by senior IJN leadership, attracted over 500 of the world’ s foremost cardiologists, researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, all convening to explore strategies aimed at transforming heart failure management in Malaysia.

IJN Chief Executive Officer Dato’ Sri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib stated:“ This conference is not merely a gathering of experts— it is a rallying call for action.

“ At IJN, we believe that innovation and excellence in cardiac care must go hand in hand with accessibility and equity. The discussions and collaborations that take place

IN A BID to tackle the increasing costs of healthcare and insurance premiums, the Life Insurance Association of Malaysia( LIAM), the Malaysian Takaful Association( MTA), and the Persatuan Insurans Am Malaysia( PIAM) engaged in a dialogue with the Public Accounts Committee( PAC) on Feb 26, 2025.

This meeting aimed to discuss sustainable healthcare financing and cost-containment strategies.

The industry expressed appreciation for the PAC’ s initiatives to address medical inflation and is optimistic about a proposed“ whole-of-nation” approach. To support policyholders affected by recent premium adjustments, the sector has introduced several interim measures, including:

• Premium spread: Staggering increases over three years until 2026.

• Capped hikes: Limiting

HEARTFELT MISSION: Experts converge at the IJN Heart Failure Conference 2025, committed to tackling the urgent heart failure crisis affecting Malaysians

here will catalyse real change in how heart failure is diagnosed, treated, and managed.”

Supporting this initiative, the IJN Cardiology Department Head and IJN Heart Failure Conference 2025 Organising Chairman Datuk Dr Azmee Mohd Ghazi, highlighted the significance of international collaboration in tackling the growing burden of heart failure.

“ This is more than a scientific discussion- it is a movement to reshape the future of heart failure care. By uniting expertise from across the globe, we can implement bold strategies that redefine treatment approaches and enhance patient outcomes.”

Themed‘ Advancing Global Collaboration in Heart Failure Management’, the three-day

annual increases to below 10 per cent for about 80 per cent of policyholders.

• Premium freeze: A one-year freeze for policyholders aged 60 and above on minimum MHIT plans.

• Reinstatement: Allowing reinstatement of lapsed policies without new underwriting.

• Affordable products: Launching budget-friendly MHIT options by 2025.

Key recommendations include:

1. DRG pricing: Enhancing transparency in healthcare charges and aligning cost structures among providers, ITOs, and TPAs.

2. Sustainable products: Collaborating with Bank Negara Malaysia to develop essential long-term insurance and takaful products.

3. Cost transparency: Publishing average treatment costs and conference features an impressive lineup of keynote addresses, expert panel discussions, and interactive workshops.

Topics of discussion include groundbreaking medical technologies, patient-centred care models, and innovative preventive strategies aimed at reducing the rising incidence of heart failure.

With heart disease remaining the leading cause of mortality in Malaysia, IJN is committed to enhancing patient care and driving forward solutions that will transform the nation’ s cardiovascular healthcare landscape.

The conference marks a significant step towards addressing the heart failure crisis and ensuring better health outcomes for Malaysians in the future.

annual medical inflation rates to empower consumers.

4. Co-payment models: Introducing co-payment options for MHIT products to promote shared healthcare costs.

5. Pharmaceutical regulation: Working with the Ministry of Health to promote generic drugs and regulate pricing.

6. Cost containment in hospitals: Encouraging hospitals to freeze pricing increases during premium caps.

7. Tax exemption: Advocating for a reduction in the Sales and Service Tax on group insurance to incentivise employer coverage.

8. Independent study: Conducting a detailed analysis to reduce claims inflation and recommend practical actions.

9. Healthy lifestyle incentives: Promoting no-claim bonuses to reward policyholders for maintaining good health.

AMONG THE BEST( From left): Tan Mei Shin( Senior Director, Business Development and Corporate Communications), Dr Seow Vei Ken( CEO), Dato Lau Beng Long( President), Dr Khoo Chow Huat( MD, Hospital & Healthcare Operations), Dr Low Kwai Siong( Medical Director).

SUNWAY Medical Centre( SMC) was again recognised as one of the world’ s leading healthcare providers in the latest Newsweek’ s World’ s Best Hospitals 2025 rankings.

For the second consecutive year, SMC was honoured in the top 250 hospitals globally, improving from rank 233rd in 2024 to rank 193rd in 2025. SMC is also ranked top among hospitals in Malaysia in the 2025 rankings.

The latest rankings are based on a comprehensive survey that gathered insights from medical experts, including doctors, healthcare professionals, and hospital managers, along with data from patient surveys, hospital quality metrics, and Statista Patient-Reported Outcome Measures( PROMs) Implementation Survey.

Out of 30 countries and over 2,400 shortlisted hospitals, encompassing public hospitals, university teaching hospitals and private medical centres, only the top 250 hospitals were published in the global listing.

Sunway Healthcare Group President Dato’ Lau Beng Long remarked:“ As the flagship hospital of Sunway Healthcare Group, SMC takes pride in its commitment to excellence in healthcare and hospitality, which drives us to this level of international recognition.

“ Being ranked among the top 250 hospitals globally, within the likes of the Mayo Clinic, The John Hopkins Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, and The University of Tokyo Hospital, for two consecutive years is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our team especially medical specialists, nurses and allied health professionals.

“ We are proud to lead the way in Malaysia, and this achievement reaffirms our aim to provide the highest level of clinical care and to continue elevating the overall healthcare status in the country.”