Johor Specialist Hospital (“JSH”), under KPJ Healthcare Berhad (“KPJ Healthcare” or “the Group”) has successfully performed its first Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (“MICS”) recently, marking the expansion of advanced heart surgery capability to the Southern region within the KPJ Health System (“KPJHS”).
With this development, patients are now able to access selected minimally invasive cardiac procedures closer to home. The introduction of MICS at JSH reflects a structured approach to building specialised surgical capability across the network, instead of concentrating complex procedures within a single location.
The programme was implemented through phased clinical preparation under KPJHS. JSH’s cardiac surgeons and perioperative teams underwent observational training and workflow alignment at Damansara Specialist Hospital 2 (“DSH2”), where minimally invasive cardiac surgery has been established. This included operating theatre configuration, perfusion coordination, multidisciplinary integration and readiness assessment before service commencement.
The inaugural procedure was performed collaboratively by the JSH cardiac surgery team led by Dr Syed Adeeb and Dr Wong Teck Fui, with mentorship support from the DSH2 team led by Prof Dr Shahrul Amry Hashim. The collaboration reflects the application of KPJ’s Academic Health System model, where mentorship and shared clinical standards support safe programme expansion while strengthening local expertise.
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery offers selected patients smaller incisions, reduced surgical trauma and potentially faster recovery compared to conventional open-heart surgery. Its introduction at JSH represents the extension of this capability within a controlled and governance-led framework.
Commenting on the milestone, Chin Keat Chyuan, President and Managing Director of KPJ Healthcare said, “The introduction of minimally invasive cardiac surgery at JSH demonstrates how specialised capabilities can be responsibly expanded within the KPJHS. Through structured training, shared standards and multidisciplinary collaboration, we are able to strengthen cardiac services across regions while maintaining patient safety and quality. Guided by our purpose of Care for Life, our focus remains on building sustainable clinical capability that serves communities closer to where they live.”
Prof. Dr Shahrul Amry Hashim, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon of DSH2 added, “Expanding minimally invasive cardiac surgery requires careful preparation and close coordination across teams. Structured mentorship ensures that the same clinical discipline and standards are upheld as capability grows within the network.”
Dr. Syed Mohd Adeeb Syed Jalaludin, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon of JSH said, “This milestone reflects collaboration across institutions and disciplines. The introduction of MICS strengthens integrated cardiac services at JSH and enhances access to complex heart surgery closer to home.”
The Heart and Lung Excellence Centre at JSH, launched in December 2025, supports consistent standards of clinical practise, education, research and innovation within the KPJHS. The introduction of MICS forms part of this broader development, contributing to KPJ Healthcare’s continued efforts to strengthen specialised heart and lung services across its hospitals.
For more information on JSH, visit https://www.kpjhealth.com.my/johor.
This content is provided by KPJ Healthcare
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