Malaysia is stepping up efforts to strengthen its medical tourism sector and improve access to preventive heart care through a collaboration between Batik Air, Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) and Tourism Malaysia.
The initiative combines air connectivity with specialist cardiac services to encourage early heart screening, support cross-border healthcare and reinforce Malaysia’s position as a regional medical tourism destination.
Under the collaboration, Batik Air international passengers can receive a 15% discount on IJN’s Essential Health Screening package by presenting a valid boarding pass. In comparison, the first 1,000 eligible passengers will enjoy a 20% discount on IJN’s Premier Heart Screening package.
International patients travelling to Malaysia for treatment at IJN will also receive a 10% discount on Batik Air airfares upon presenting an official appointment letter, helping ease travel costs for patients and accompanying family members.
The collaboration also extends benefits to employees of both organisations, with IJN joining Batik Air’s corporate travel programme while Batik Air staff and their eligible dependants receive discounts on selected IJN wellness screening packages.
Speaking at the launch, Batik Air chief executive officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said Malaysia welcomed about 1.85 million healthcare travellers in 2025, generating RM3.35 billion in revenue and surpassing the RM3 billion target, reflecting growing confidence in the country’s healthcare ecosystem.
IJN group chief executive officer Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib said the partnership aims to encourage more people to undergo early screening and preventive care, noting that many individuals remain unaware of cardiovascular risks until symptoms appear.
During a question-and-answer session, Batik Air said it selected IJN because of its international reputation and world-class expertise in cardiac care.
Ezani said the hospital’s international standing was reflected in its designation as the contingency cardiac referral centre for the US President Donald Trump during last year’s ASEAN Summit. He also noted that Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei publicly praised IJN’s doctors and quality of care after receiving treatment there last year.
The collaboration, which began on May 1, 2026, will run until April 30, 2027, subject to renewal by mutual agreement.
