Kuala lumpur: 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.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, 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. IJN stated that 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.
The accreditation 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. 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, emphasized that cardiovascular disease often develops gradually with risk factors accumulating long before symptoms appear. He noted that preventive cardiology represents the future of cardiovascular care, allowing for early risk assessment and targeted intervention to address the factors contributing to heart disease before patients experience severe complications like heart attacks or strokes.
The accreditation validates CRRC's comprehensive approach and provides further assurance that the care delivered is multidisciplinary, evidence-based, and aligned with internationally recognised standards. Group Chief Executive Officer of IJN, Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, remarked that the accreditation represents another major international recognition of IJN's commitment to delivering comprehensive cardiovascular care. He expressed pride in becoming the first centre in Asia to receive this accreditation, reflecting the dedication of IJN's multidisciplinary teams in delivering preventive cardiovascular care of the highest standard.
The institute's responsibility extends beyond treating heart disease, with a commitment 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, stated that the achievement strengthens IJN's clinical and educational capabilities in preventive cardiology. The accreditation affirms that IJN's approach to cardiovascular risk management and prevention meets internationally recognised standards, supported by evidence-based practices and multidisciplinary expertise.
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.