Johor Specialist Hospital recognised for cardiology, oncology excellence at Healthcare Asia Awards 2026

The healthcare provider secured distinctions for expanding its Heart & Lung Centre and Cancer Centre specialist treatment capabilities.

Johor Specialist Hospital received accolades in the Specialty Hospital of the Year (Cardiology) - Malaysia and Specialty Hospital of the Year (Oncology) - Malaysia categories at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2026. The recognition followed the expansion of two major specialty services: the Heart & Lung Centre and the Cancer Centre. Both centres strengthened multidisciplinary care, expanded diagnostic capacity, and recorded increased clinical utilisation across cardiology, cardiothoracic, and oncology services.
Integrated cardiopulmonary care platform

The Heart & Lung Centre of Excellence, launched on 1 December 2025, consolidated cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, respiratory medicine, and rehabilitation under a single governance structure. The model coordinated referrals, diagnostics, multidisciplinary reviews, interventions, rehabilitation, and follow-up across the patient care pathway.

A coordination framework led by a clinical coordinator and nurse navigators aligned specialist consultations, imaging, and treatment planning. Multidisciplinary team reviews brought together cardiology, respiratory, surgical, imaging, and allied health specialists to determine treatment approaches for complex cardiopulmonary cases. Telemedicine consultations supported specialist input across referral points.

Diagnostic capability expanded with AI-enabled MRI, digital PET/CT imaging, and a fully established catheterisation laboratory supporting advanced cardiac procedures. The centre also expanded complex interventions through Complex High-Risk PCI services, as well as new pulmonary procedures, including endobronchial ultrasound and endobronchial valve insertion.

Clinical activity increased following the centre’s establishment. Open-heart and thoracic surgery volumes rose from 55 procedures in 2024 to 73 procedures in 2025, representing a 32.72% increase. The growth reflected expanded surgical capability and increased referral activity within the cardiothoracic programme.

Expanded oncology diagnostics and treatment capacity

The Cancer Centre operates as a single-site oncology facility that integrates oncology clinics, chemotherapy day care, PET-CT diagnostics, radiotherapy, pharmacy services, and supportive care within one location. Multidisciplinary tumour board discussions guide treatment planning across oncology, haematology, nuclear medicine, radiology, and surgical subspecialties.

Oncology service utilisation increased from 18,725 cases in 2024 to 21,342 cases in 2025, representing a 14% rise across major treatment services. Radiotherapy cases grew from 5,706 to 6,585, whilst chemotherapy cases increased from 3,920 to 4,500. Oncology clinic visits recorded the largest increase, rising from 9,099 to 10,257 consultations.

Diagnostic imaging services also expanded. PET-CT scans increased from 1,646 to 1,805 cases between 2024 and 2025, whilst Gallium-68 studies rose from 22 to 58 cases as nuclear medicine diagnostics expanded across the oncology pathway.

Clinical teams also introduced new procedures for complex cancer treatment. Amongst these was Malaysia’s first fully laparoscopic, closed-method hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy procedure for upper gastrointestinal cancer, performed at the hospital in 2025.

Healthcare Asia Awards is an awards programme focused on acknowledging exceptional hospitals across Asia that redefine the standards of excellence in the healthcare industry. It proudly shines a spotlight on Asian hospitals that consistently go beyond conventional boundaries to provide top-tier patient care and have a lasting impact on their local communities.

The Healthcare Asia Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be acclaimed for your organisation's remarkable initiatives and contributions to the healthcare industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at [email protected].