Sustainability | IHH Healthcare Malaysia

Empowering Our Patients

We are committed to providing quality care through our value-based healthcare approach, reinforced by strong clinical governance and innovative digital solutions, all while ensuring the security of our patients' medical data.

Quality of Care & Patient Stewardship

Value-Driven Healthcare

We are committed to providing value-driven care that is patient-centric, cost-efficient and enhances patient health. Since 2019, IHH Healthcare Malaysia has been at the forefront of evidence-based healthcare through our value-driven outcomes (VDO) initiative.

VDO tracks the patient journey to measure, identify gaps and improve clinical process efficiency, leading to better outcomes. Clinical practices are benchmarked against global standards, enabling data-driven decision-making. It aims to improve patient outcomes while reducing costs associated with unnecessary medical procedures.

Find out more here.

VDO focuses on on improving the true value of healthcare, by improving patient outcomes and experience using appropriate and efficient resources.

Currently, IHH Healthcare Malaysia’s VDO initiatives cover around 15% of our procedures, such as colonoscopy, coronary angioplasty, total knee replacement (TKR), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery and hysterectomy. We target to expand this coverage to 50% in the near future.

To ensure optimal outcomes from our VDO initiatives, we establish performance metrics for each procedure, including adherence to clinical guidelines, to improve quality of patient recovery and patient recovery time. The meticulous implementation of evidence-based practices and advanced data analytics has led to significant achievements, even surpassing international standards.

VDO reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.

Robust Clinical Governance Framework for Patient Safety

Our commitment to excellent clinical and patient care is reflected in our adherence to a robust clinical governance framework. We established our Clinical Governance Advisory Committee in 2021, comprising experienced clinician leads and our management team.

There are five sub-committees that focus on Credentialing & Clinical Safety, VDO (Medical) Research & Ethics, VDO (Surgical), Antimicrobial Stewardship and Medico-Legal Risks. They meet twice yearly on clinical governance, quality, and patient safety matters, to ensure that our clinical practices meet high standards of safety and effectiveness.

Through stringent quality standards, continuous monitoring, and evidence-based practices, we foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement, ultimately benefiting patients and stakeholders alike.

Through this steadfast commitment, we uphold IHH Healthcare Malaysia’s reputation as a leader in the healthcare industry.

Healthcare Digitalisation

We use technology and digital tools to make healthcare more efficient and productive.

Electronic Medical Record System

With our upcoming Electronic Medical Record system, you’ll have easy and secure access to your medical records across the entire IHH Malaysia network. It will also simplify our work, making it easier to streamline tasks, quicken your diagnosis and treatment, improve communication, and ensure full compliance with regulations.

MyHealth360 Mobile App

We launched our app – MyHealth360 – to bring our services beyond our hospital walls. Patients can make appointment bookings and access their medical results and pay bills online, all of which reduce waiting time and provide health info at the fingertips. Find out more

Artificial Intelligence

At IHH Healthcare Malaysia, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming our operations, making processes more efficient and enhancing the quality of care for our patients. By incorporating AI for image analysis in diagnostics such as X-rays, endoscopy, fundus photography, and ECGs, we are able to deliver faster and more accurate diagnoses, enabling timely treatment and early detection of conditions like diabetic retinopathy, heart abnormalities, and malignancies.

Moreover, AI enhances the transparency and accuracy of our billing processes, providing patients with clear and reliable cost estimates. This helps patients plan their healthcare expenses more effectively, reducing financial uncertainty and improving the overall patient experience.

Our use of AI reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence in patient care and by leveraging on these latest advancements, we are able to continuously push boundaries, making healthcare more efficient and patient centric.

Data Privacy & Security

Robust Clinical Governance Framework for Patient Safety

We take our patients’ data privacy and security seriously, using physical, technical and organisational measures to keep health records safe from loss, misuse and unauthorised access. We follow strict PDPA rules to ensure we manage your data properly. You can trust that your sensitive health information is safe, and your privacy is always protected.

How we process your personal data

Quality of Care & Patient Stewardship

Value-Driven Healthcare

Find out more here.

VDO focuses on on improving the true value of healthcare, by improving patient outcomes and experience using appropriate and efficient resources.

Currently, IHH Healthcare Malaysia's VDO initiatives cover around 15% of our procedures, such as colonoscopy, coronary angioplasty, total knee replacement (TKR), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery and hysterectomy. We target to expand this coverage to 50% in the near future.

VDO reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.

Robust Clinical Governance Framework for Patient Safety

Through this steadfast commitment, we uphold IHH Healthcare Malaysia's reputation as a leader in the healthcare industry.

Healthcare Digitalisation

We use technology and digital tools to make healthcare more efficient and productive.

Electronic Medical Record System

With our upcoming Electronic Medical Record system, you'll have easy and secure access to your medical records across the entire IHH Malaysia network. It will also simplify our work, making it easier to streamline tasks, quicken your diagnosis and treatment, improve communication, and ensure full compliance with regulations.

MyHealth360 Mobile App

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a large role in our operations, helping us to be more efficient and provide better care for our patients. For example, it is making imaging and ultrasound processes faster and more accurate, which means quicker and more precise diagnoses.AI also helps with ECG reporting and endoscopy, ensuring we detect any medical issues early. For retinal image analysis, AI is enhancing our ability to detect eye conditions.

Additionally, when it comes to estimating bills, AI makes the process smoother and more transparent for patients, so that they can plan better financially for healthcare costs.

Overall, we leverage technology to make healthcare more efficient and patient-friendly.

Data Privacy & Security

Robust Clinical Governance Framework for Patient Safety

We take our patients' data privacy and security seriously, using physical, technical and organisational measures to keep health records safe from loss, misuse and unauthorised access. We follow strict PDPA rules to ensure we manage your data properly. You can trust that your sensitive health information is safe, and your privacy is always protected.

How we process your personal data

Caring for Our People

Our people are the heartbeat of our organisation, enabling us to consistently deliver quality patient care and excellent service with empathy. We thus ensure that we continue to provide value to them with fair remuneration and recognition of their efforts.

Employee Safety & Well-being

We place great emphasis on employee safety, ensuring that all staff are continuously updated on essential safety measures, including Fire Safety and Evacuation protocols.

Another area of focus is ensuring the well-being of our employees, where we have introduced a new mental wellness app among employees of IHH, marking a milestone in our journey to foster a healthier workplace for all, given the rigorous demands of the industry.

The app integrates technology and human support to offer an easy and effective mental health journey. Through this app, employees have access to self-guided content for skill-building, on-demand 1-to-1 coaching and clinical sessions, and a 24/7 distress helpline.

Diversity & Inclusion

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is exemplified by the fact that women comprise 50% of our senior leadership team. This strong representation highlights our dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace.

People Engagement & Talent Development

From 2021 to 2023, about 480 employees received IHH Healthcare Malaysia’s Long Service award, a testament to our organisation as a place where individuals can thrive.

The 2023 employee engagement survey revealed an impressive overall score of 80%, exceeding both global healthcare and Malaysian benchmarks. This achievement highlights our commitment to fostering employee engagement, which in turn enhances loyalty and creates a better working environment for our team.

We prioritise Talent Development and demonstrate our confidence in our team by promoting from within to fill top-level positions rather than hiring externally.

Our online Learning Management System also ensures that our employees are able to build on their skill sets anytime and from anywhere.

Recognising that nurses are the backbone of any healthcare organisation, IHH Healthcare Malaysia is committed to increasing the number of nurses in Malaysia and ensuring the quality of our graduates. Last year, we sponsored 400 nursing students and aim to sponsor another 400 in 2024.

Employee Safety & Well-being

We place great emphasis on employee safety, ensuring that all staff are continuously updated on essential safety measures, including Fire Safety and Evacuation protocols.

Diversity & Inclusion

People Engagement & Talent Development

From 2021 to 2023, about 480 employees received IHH Healthcare Malaysia's Long Service award, a testament to our organisation as a place where individuals can thrive.

We prioritise Talent Development and demonstrate our confidence in our team by promoting from within to fill top-level positions rather than hiring externally.

Our online Learning Management System also ensures that our employees are able to build on their skill sets anytime and from anywhere.

Nurturing Our Communities

We nurture our communities by addressing global health challenges that impact them, by reducing the burden of disease for the underserved, and by engaging them with preventive health awareness programmes.

Antimicrobial Stewardship

Our antimicrobial stewardship initiatives aim to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics by promoting proper antibiotic regimes with the right choice, dose and duration. This helps to slow down the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria which is identified as one of the largest public health risks.

Our Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee offers systematic guidance to all IHH Healthcare Malaysia hospitals on addressing antibiotic resistance. We further enhance our antimicrobial stewardship initiative by partnering with bioMérieux to set up an Antimicrobial Stewardship Centre of Excellence (COE). By promoting responsible antibiotic use, we contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system and a healthier environment for future generations.

Reducing Disease Burden

In September 2022, we partnered with the Ministry of Health Malaysia to offer free radiotherapy and radiosurgery to 500 cancer patients from government hospitals. Our seven hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia, equipped with advanced Gamma Knife and LINAC machines, were ready to assist. We successfully completed this programme and, on 23 February 2024, we renewed our commitment with a new MOU to treat another 500 cancer patients. Through this partnership, we are dedicated to reducing the cancer burden for Malaysians.

Corporate Responsibility

IHH Healthcare Malaysia’s Life Renewed programme represents our commitment to be socially responsible and make a positive impact in our community. It provides financial assistance to underprivileged patients receiving medical treatment at Gleneagles Hospitals, Pantai Hospitals or Prince Court Medical Centre in Malaysia. Since we established the programme in 2012, we have been able to provide free medical treatment to over 2,000 vulnerable Malaysians.

Meanwhile, our preventive healthcare campaigns include the “Ready for You” 360-degree campaign where we equipped the community with crucial life-saving skills. We organised complimentary Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training for 1,000 frontline employees across various sectors. The efforts earned the campaign a place in the Malaysia Book of Records for "Most Participants in a CPR and AED Certification Training Programme." We also created a First Aid eBook, interactive quizzes, and a Hands-Only CPR Kiosk to engage the community.

The “Act Sooner, Live Better” highlighted the importance of early medical intervention in Heart, Cancer, and Bone and Joint care. This initiative promoted timely diagnosis and treatments and also showcased IHH Healthcare Malaysia’s advanced technologies, specialised treatments, and expert care available to improve health outcomes.

Our on-going Pink October, World Heart Day and Movember campaigns aim to heighten awareness on key health issues such as breast, prostate and testicular cancer awareness and good heart health.

On top of these, our network of hospitals and ancillary services regularly participate in community and patient-focused initiatives. Whether it is offering financial assistance, free health checks, spreading awareness on preventive healthcare, or running programmes for caregivers, we are always finding ways to improve public welfare and health awareness.

Antimicrobial Stewardship

Reducing Disease Burden

Corporate Responsibility

IHH Healthcare Malaysia's Life Renewed programme represents our commitment to be socially responsible and make a positive impact in our community. It provides financial assistance to underprivileged patients receiving medical treatment at Gleneagles Hospitals, Pantai Hospitals or Prince Court Medical Centre in Malaysia. Since we established the programme in 2012, we have been able to provide free medical treatment to over 2,000 vulnerable Malaysians.

Meanwhile, our preventive healthcare campaigns include the "Ready for You" 360-degree campaign where we equipped the community with crucial life-saving skills. We organised complimentary Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training for 1,000 frontline employees across various sectors. The efforts earned the campaign a place in the Malaysia Book of Records for "Most Participants in a CPR and AED Certification Training Programme." We also created a First Aid eBook, interactive quizzes, and a Hands-Only CPR Kiosk to engage the community.

The "Act Sooner, Live Better" highlighted the importance of early medical intervention in Heart, Cancer, and Bone and Joint care. This initiative promoted timely diagnosis and treatments and also showcased IHH Healthcare Malaysia's advanced technologies, specialised treatments, and expert care available to improve health outcomes.

Our on-going Pink October, World Heart Day and Movember campaigns aim to heighten awareness on key health issues such as breast, prostate and testicular cancer awareness and good heart health.

Protecting the Planet

While essential, healthcare does leave an environmental footprint. As we grow, we are mindful to minimise the environmental impact of our operations. In this spirit, we implement sustainable initiatives, including renewable energy solutions and effective waste management.

Energy Management

Healthcare operations and patient care consume considerable energy. For instance, one standard MRI scan consumes up to 20kWh of energy, equivalent to the energy used by 20 air-conditioning units turned on for an hour. Similarly, radiotherapy treatment for cancer using LINAC equipment can consumer up to 255kWh daily, comparable to the energy used by 225 air-conditioning units running for an hour.

We are thus committed to implementing renewable energy solutions for sustainable healthcare. We launched a comprehensive renewable energy initiative across our network, becoming the first private healthcare provider in Malaysia to transition to solar power by installing solar panels at selected hospitals and progressively expanding this to across our footprint.

Pantai Hospital Batu Pahat

Pantai Hospital Batu Pahat was the first in our hospital network to install solar panels.

Prince Court Medical Centre

Solar Panels on Prince Court Medical Centre

Additionally, we are actively controlling energy consumption and increasing energy efficiencies by implementing the Building Efficiency Index, a tool used to keep track of how well a building uses energy for every square meter. Every time we renovate, expand or build new facilities, we also ensure energy efficiency. Overall, we are reducing energy usage across our hospitals.

Green Hospital

Pantai Hospital Laguna Merbok is Malaysia’s first green hospital, earning recognition with Malaysia’s Green Building Index for its incorporation of green technology and sustainable design. The hospital’s rooftop solar panels generated 60,977 kWh of electricity, accounting for 3.2% of its total energy consumption. It also features aquaponics facilities, where Tilapia fish and vegetables are cultivated onsite. These are harvested and used in the cafeteria and for in-patient meals. The hospital practices rainwater harvesting for landscaping needs, achieving a 44% reduction in water usage. Additionally, it promotes the use of green vehicles by providing charging stations and designated parking bays.

Aquaponics facilities to grow vegetables

Rainwater harvesting for landscaping needs

Promoting green vehicles with charging stations and designated bays

Waste Management

We have taken significant steps to improve our waste management practices with stringent guidelines. We have stopped using single-use plastics in our non-medical areas. In 2023, we also managed to divert over 10% of our regular waste from landfills, showcasing our commitment to sustainability.

All our hospitals use biodegradable food containers and utensils at our cafeterias

Urban Vertical Farming

We are exploring other ways to decrease our carbon footprint including using urban vertical farms. Located within hospital grounds, they provide our hospitals with year-round vegetables such as kale, spinach and mint. By growing food closer to where it is consumed, vertical farming reduces the usage of pesticides and the carbon footprint associated with food transportation.

IHH Healthcare Malaysia’s Urban Vertical Farm in Gleneagles Hospital Johor

Microgreens from our Urban Vertical Farm

Energy Management

Healthcare operations and patient care consume considerable energy. For instance, one standard MRI scan consumes up to 20kWh of energy, equivalent to the energy used by 20 air-conditioning units turned on for an hour. Similarly, radiotherapy treatment for cancer using LINAC equipment can consume up to 255kWh daily, comparable to the energy used by 225 air-conditioning units running for an hour.

Pantai Hospital Batu Pahat

Pantai Hospital Batu Pahat was the first in our hospital network to install solar panels.

Prince Court Medical Centre

Solar Panels on Prince Court Medical Centre

Green Hospital

Pantai Hospital Laguna Merbok is Malaysia's first green hospital, earning recognition with Malaysia's Green Building Index for its incorporation of green technology and sustainable design. The hospital's rooftop solar panels generated 60,977 kWh of electricity, accounting for 3.2% of its total energy consumption. It also features aquaponics facilities, where Tilapia fish and vegetables are cultivated onsite. These are harvested and used in the cafeteria and for in-patient meals. The hospital practices rainwater harvesting for landscaping needs, achieving a 44% reduction in water usage. Additionally, it promotes the use of green vehicles by providing charging stations and designated parking bays.

Aquaponics facilities to grow vegetables

Rainwater harvesting for landscaping needs

Promoting green vehicles with charging stations and designated bays

Waste Management

All our hospitals use biodegradable food containers and utensils at our cafeterias

Urban Vertical Farming

IHH Healthcare Malaysia's Urban Vertical Farm in Gleneagles Hospital Johor

Microgreens from our Urban Vertical Farm