KUALA LUMPUR: Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) and National Sports Institute (NSI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening the healthcare journey of athletes and sports professionals through more seamless, coordinated and specialised care.
The MoU reflects a shared commitment by both institutions to support NSI athletes and staff across the full spectrum of medical needs, with particular emphasis on surgical intervention, rehabilitation and post-operative recovery and safe return to sport.
It also establishes a framework for closer clinical partnership, mutual referrals and continuous knowledge sharing between SMCV specialists and NSI’s sports science and medical teams.
The signing ceremony was officiated by SMCV chief executive officer Susan Cheow and SMCV medical director and consultant emergency physician Dr Wee Tong Ming.
They were joined by a delegation of SMCV consultant orthopaedic and trauma surgeons, namely Dr Chang Kok Chun, Dr Ng Swee Soon and Dr Yuen Jin Chuan whom the latter two are also Arthroplasty surgeons.
Also present were SMCV sports surgeons Dr Aminudin Mohamed Shamsudin and Dr Raymond Yeak Dieu Kiat, alongside consultant dermatologist Datin Dr Nur Ashikin Ahmad.
Representing NSI were chief executive officer Dr Vellapandian Ponnusamy, sport science division director Dr Mohamad Fajar Mohamed Kasim, sports care department head Dr Ahmad Munawwar Helmi Salim, sports medicine department head Dr Amir Azwan Azman, rehabilitation unit head Muhd Noorfaizalazrul Muhammad Azalai and sports medicine management centre head Nor Azian Khalid @ Abd Malek.
At the heart of the partnership is a shared goal to provide NSI athletes and staff with a holistic and streamlined healthcare experience, one that ensures timely access to the right treatment, rehabilitation and recovery support.
Through this partnership, eligible NSI athletes and staff will benefit across a range of key selected services at SMCV.
To support seamless access to these services, the MoU establishes a streamlined referral system between SMCV and NSI, giving athletes and staff access to the combined facilities and expertise of both institutions throughout their care journey.
Cheow said, “We are pleased to partner with NSI in a collaboration that reflects our shared commitment to supporting the health and recovery of Malaysia’s athletes and sports professionals.
“More importantly, this is not intended to be a one-off arrangement, but the beginning of a sustainable partnership that brings together complementary strengths to deliver measurable and lasting benefits for our national athletes.”
Dr Vellapandian said, “Our athletes represent the pride of the nation and ensuring they have access to top-tier medical expertise is central to our mission at NSI.
“This partnership with SMCV enhances our ability to provide a comprehensive healthcare safety net, especially when specialised surgical intervention or advanced diagnostic imaging is required.
“By bridging the gap between sports and clinical excellence, we are giving our athletes the best possible support to overcome injuries and return to the podium.”
The MoU also supports continuous exchange of medical knowledge, clinical expertise and best practices between SMCV and ISN.
In addition, the agreement introduces a mutual cross-referral framework, allowing athletes and staff to benefit from the combined strengths, facilities and expertise of both institutions.
