Heart disease remains one of Malaysia’s leading causes of death, but for patients in the B40 income group, the cost of life-saving treatment puts recovery out of reach. Penang health committee chairman Daniel Gooi wants to change that. He announced an expanded cardiac care programme at Northern Heart Hospital Penang, a specialist cardiac and vascular hospital in George Town.
Gooi announced the expansion of Northern Heart Hospital Penang’s “HeartBeat of Penang” initiative at a press conference in George Town on 24 August. The programme will now provide five free percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures for B40 patients this year, up from three in 2024, as reported by The Star.
PCI, commonly known as coronary angioplasty, restores blood flow to blocked arteries. Each procedure costs more than RM50,000 at private hospitals, placing it beyond the reach of most B40 patients, Gooi said.
“Effective treatment is available, but many patients still struggle to access timely care because of financial constraints,” he said. “This is the reason behind Northern Heart Hospital Penang’s HeartBeat of Penang CSR initiative.”
Eligible patients are identified through Penang General Hospital and referred for the free procedure based on medical and financial need, Gooi told reporters. Hospital consultant cardiologist Dr Tan Chiang Soo, chief executive officer Kelen Leong and general manager Katrina Felix were present at the event.
NST reported in July that Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow visited Northern Heart Hospital and called the free PCI initiative proof that access to quality healthcare should not depend solely on a person’s financial means.
State health director Dr Zulhizzam Abdullah said the programme reflects a shared commitment to ensuring cardiac care reaches those who need it most. “While the Health Ministry remains committed to providing accessible, quality healthcare, we recognise that today’s healthcare challenges require strong collaboration between the public and private sectors,” he said.
The initiative comes as Penang’s medical tourism industry continues to grow. The state contributed 45% of Malaysia’s total medical tourism revenue last year, with more than 500,000 international patients generating over RM1.1 billion in revenue. Gooi said the HeartBeat of Penang programme is one way to ensure that growth benefits local communities, not only international visitors.
