KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) — Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) has achieved a significant international milestone by receiving the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) Centre Accreditation for Cardiovascular Risk Management and Prevention, becoming the first centre in Asia to earn this prestigious recognition.
In a statement today, IJN noted that the achievement places the institute among an elite group of internationally recognised centres that have demonstrated excellence in delivering comprehensive, evidence-based preventive cardiovascular care in accordance with rigorous European standards.
“The EAPC accreditation is a mark of excellence awarded to institutions with outstanding multidisciplinary expertise, robust clinical governance, high-quality patient care and a strong commitment to continuous quality improvement in cardiovascular disease prevention.
“It reflects IJN’s dedication to providing world-class preventive cardiology services and further reinforces its position as a regional leader in cardiovascular risk management and prevention,” it said.
According to the statement, the recognition strongly complements the vision of IJN’s Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Clinic (CRRC) that preventive cardiology is the future of cardiology.
Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Director of the Customer Experience Department at IJN Datuk Seri Dr Azhari Rosman, who leads the CRRC said in the statement that cardiovascular disease often develops gradually, with risk factors accumulating long before symptoms appear.
“Preventive cardiology represents the future of cardiovascular care. Through early risk assessment and targeted intervention, we can address the factors that contribute to heart disease before patients experience a heart attack, stroke or other serious cardiovascular complications,” he said.
According to him, this accreditation validates CRRC’s comprehensive approach and provides further assurance that the care they deliver is multidisciplinary, evidence-based and aligned with internationally recognised standards.
Meanwhile, Group Chief Executive Officer of IJN Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib said the accreditation represents another major international recognition of IJN’s commitment to delivering comprehensive cardiovascular care.
“Becoming the first centre in Asia to receive this accreditation is a proud achievement for IJN and Malaysia. It places IJN among an elite group of internationally recognised centres and reflects the dedication of our multidisciplinary teams in delivering preventive cardiovascular care of the highest standard,” he said.
Dr Mohamed Ezani said the institute’s responsibility extends beyond treating heart disease, adding that IJN equally committed to identifying cardiovascular risks early, preventing future complications and empowering patients to take control of their heart health throughout their lives.
Chief Clinical Officer and Senior Consultant Cardiologist at IJN Datuk Dr Shaiful Azmi Yahaya said the achievement strengthens IJN’s clinical and educational capabilities in preventive cardiology.
“This accreditation affirms that IJN’s approach to cardiovascular risk management and prevention meets internationally recognised standards, supported by evidence-based practices and multidisciplinary expertise.
“It also reinforces the importance of shifting from treating established disease towards earlier intervention and prevention,” he said.
As Asia’s first and only EAPC-accredited preventive cardiology centre, IJN further positions Malaysia as a regional leader in cardiovascular disease prevention while advancing better long-term health outcomes for patients.
— BERNAMA