SERDANG: The Health Ministry will add two invasive cardiology laboratories (ICL) at the Serdang Heart Centre, with procurement scheduled for 2026 and expected to be operational in 2027.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said this move is important to strengthen heart treatment in government hospitals, in addition to emphasising the prevention of cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the country
"Insya-Allah, we will add two more ICLs at the Serdang Heart Centre. This is a 2026 acquisition and we expect it to be implemented in 2027," he told the media after attending the Hari Jantung Jelajah Wira Madani2025 celebration ceremony at the Sultan Idris Shah Hospital (HSIS) here on Saturday (Oct 4).
Also present was HSIS director Dr. Farique Rizal Abdul Hamid.
Commenting on the need to add treatment facilities or heart screening programmes, Dr Dzulkefly said that his ministry is taking a multi-pronged approach by strengthening acute treatment facilities at major hospitals, including in Serdang as well as in Penang and Sarawak.
He said several hospitals in Melaka, Miri, and Tawau have received additional angiography catheterisation laboratories (Cathlab) worth RM14.5mil, but the ministry's main focus remains on prevention.
"If we only depend on curative treatment, we will always be in a state of crisis. The National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) found that one in three Malaysians has high cholesterol, one in three has hypertension while one in six has diabetes.
"This is a recipe for the ongoing cardiovascular disease crisis. That's why early screening, an active lifestyle, healthy eating, and risk factor management are so important," he said.
Meanwhile, regarding Budget 2026, he said the ministry is in intensive discussions with the Minister of Finance II (MK2) and relevant parties to strengthen health allocations, including for heart treatment.
"We understand there are positive developments, Insya-Allah, there will be good news for all of us. Let us all look forward to the tabling of the Budget 2026 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 10," he also said.
Under Budget 2025, the MOH received an allocation of RM45.3 billion, an increase from RM41.2 billion allocated under Budget 2024.- Bernama
