THE National Heart Institute (IJN) has launched the branding of the MRT Raja Uda-IJN station, marking a milestone in efforts to improve access to specialist heart care while strengthening the link between public transport and healthcare services.
Under the collaboration, the IJN name is now part of the station’s identity on signage, route maps and onboard announcements along the MRT Putrajaya Line.
This helps in giving patients, families, visitors, students and employees clearer guidance when travelling to the hospital.
In a media statement, IJN acting group chief executive officer Datuk Dr Shaiful Azmi Yahaya said the collaboration marked another important step in making specialist heart care more accessible to the community.
“We are doing more than connecting an MRT station to a hospital. We are creating opportunities to connect more people with healthcare,” he said.
Dr Shaiful said IJN’s efforts to improve public accessibility began in 2022 when it built a pedestrian bridge across Sungai Bunus as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts, providing an alternative public access route to the hospital via the Yayasan Selangor building.
“The bridge has since benefitted IJN University College students, hospital employees and patients, including those travelling by public transport,” he said.
Building on this effort, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), with the support of mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud, has committed to sponsoring a covered pedestrian walkway towards IJN.
Dr Shaiful said the proposed walkway would further improve comfort, safety and accessibility, particularly for older people and those with limited mobility.
“With thousands of commuters using the MRT network daily, IJN sees potential to utilise public transport communication platforms, digital information channels and selected community activities to encourage greater awareness of cardiovascular health,” he said.
Potential initiatives include heart-health education campaigns, awareness activities, selected screening programmes and initiatives promoting healthier, more active lifestyles.
“We want people to understand that taking care of their heart should not begin only when they become ill.
“It should start much earlier, through awareness, early detection and preventive action,” added Dr Shaiful.
IJN also expressed its readiness to explore broader collaboration with the Federal Territories administration and DBKL to strengthen heart-health awareness and preventive healthcare across Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, who officiated the launch, said the partnership was a welcome step towards making hospital visits easier for patients and their families.
“Having IJN’s name on the MRT map will help people find the right station.
“But getting off the train is only part of the journey.
“We must also look at how patients get to the hospital, especially senior citizens and those with limited mobility.
“I welcome DBKL’s commitment to sponsor a covered pedestrian walkway to IJN.
“I would also like to explore working with IJN on heart-health awareness and early screening in Kuala Lumpur.
“We should help people detect health problems early,” Yeoh added.
MRT Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zarif Hashim said the partnership reflected the corporation’s ambition to unlock greater value from the Raja Uda MRT station, transforming it from a transit point into a space to create meaningful opportunities for businesses while delivering greater benefits to passengers and the surrounding community.
“Our stations are more than places where people board and alight from trains.
“They are part of the communities around them, connecting people to workplaces, businesses and essential services.
“By incorporating the IJN name into Raja Uda MRT station, we are creating a clear and lasting association between the station and the hospital,” added Mohd Zarif.
Also present at the launch was IJN chairman Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
