Nothern Heart Hospital
(Multi Speciality)
Established In : 2024
No of Beds : 56
Address info :
2, Lebuhraya Peel (Peel Avenue), 10350 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
About
Northern Heart Hospital (NHH) is the first and only dedicated cardiac and vascular specialist hospital in Penang, Malaysia, offering a boutique-style environment focused on advanced heart and lung care. Since its official opening in June 2024, this quaternary care facility has quickly become a pivotal landmark in George Town's medical hub. Co-owned by leading clinicians, NHH integrates state-of-the-art diagnostic technology—including a Hybrid Operating Theatre and 3 Tesla MRI—with highly specialized services such as TAVI, complex coronary interventions, and minimally invasive cardiac surgery. By prioritizing specialized expertise and a "paperless" smart-hospital infrastructure, Northern Heart Hospital provides patients from across Southeast Asia with a streamlined, world-class journey toward cardiovascular recovery.
Leading Specialist Doctors
The hospital is staffed by senior consultants who are pioneers in their respective fields of cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery:
| Specialty | Specialist Name | Key Expertise & Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Interventional Cardiology | Dr. Tan Chiang Soo | Person-In-Charge; Expert in TAVI, Rotational Atherectomy, and Complex PCI. |
| Interventional Cardiology | Dr. Donald Ang Swee Cheng | UK-trained; Specialist in Bifurcation Stenting and Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO). |
| Cardiothoracic Surgery | Prof. Dato / Dr. Abu Yamin | Over 6,000 surgeries performed; Pioneer in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS). |
| Vascular Surgery | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Edward Choke | Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon; Specialist in Peripheral Arterial Disease. |
| Electrophysiology | Dr. Tuan Jiun Haur | Specialist in Heart Rhythm Disorders and Cardiac Device Implantations (Pacemakers). |
| Cardiac Imaging | Dr. Barakath Badusha | Expert in Non-Invasive Cardiac Imaging; Founding Consultant of NHH. |
| Nephrology | Dr. Michelle Kao Pei Ching | Specialist in managing the complex relationship between heart and kidney health. |
Hospital Showcase
Experience a visual tour of the hospitals modern infrastructure and hear directly from their medical leadership in these featured videos:
Hospital Introduction: Restoring the Rhythm of Life - Northern Heart Hospital Penang
Specialist Feature: Meet Dr. Tan Chiang Soo - Advancing Cardiac Care in 2026
Facilities
Northern Heart Hospital (NHH) is designed as a highly specialized, quaternary cardiac center. Its facilities are structured to provide a comprehensive, "one-stop" journey specifically for heart and vascular patients, from advanced diagnostics and emergency care to surgical intervention and rehabilitation.
Facilities at Northern Heart Hospital (NHH)
| Category | Specific Facilities & Services |
|---|---|
| Specialized Surgical Units | Hybrid Operating Theatre (combining surgery and advanced imaging), Cardiac & Vascular Operating Theatres, and an Electrophysiology (EP) Laboratory. |
| Diagnostic Laboratories | Cardiac Catheterisation Labs (CathLab), Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Laboratory (NICL), and a Clinical Pathology Laboratory. |
| Advanced Imaging | 3 Tesla MRI (Siemens MAGNETOM Sola), Siemens SOMATOM CT, Digital Mammography, and DEXA Bone Density Scanner. |
| Critical & Ward Care | 56 Beds including Intensive Care Unit (ICU), High Dependency Unit (HDU), Isolation Rooms, and VIP/Executive Suites. |
| Emergency & Wellness | 24-hour Accident & Emergency (specifically for cardiac emergencies) and a dedicated Health Screening Centre. |
| Rehabilitation & Support | Cardiac Rehabilitation Centre (Physiotherapy & Dietetics), In-house Pharmacy, and specialized Dietetic Services for heart-healthy nutrition. |
| Patient Amenities | Electronic Medical Record (EMR), Smart TVs in rooms, Self-Registration Kiosks, 24/7 ATM, Prayer Rooms (Level 7), and complimentary Wi-Fi. |
| Hospital Logistics | 163 parking spots (Multistorey & Premier), Luggage Room, and Complimentary Airport Transfer for international patients. |
Inpatient Room Options & 2026 Rates
All inpatient wards at NHH are equipped with a Wireless Cardiac Telemetry System, allowing nurses to monitor your heart rhythm in real-time regardless of the room type.
| Room Type | Daily Rate (RM) | Key Amenities |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Suite | 1,200 | Luxury space, sofa bed, bar fridge, and premium privacy. |
| Junior Suite | 800 | Spacious private room with specialized amenities. |
| Single-Bedded | 400 | Private room with attached bathroom and sofa bed for companion. |
| Two-Bedded | 200 | Shared room (2 patients) with individual entertainment systems. |
| ICU / CCU | 450 | Intensive monitoring for critical cardiac cases. |
| HDU | 400 | Step-down care for patients requiring close observation. |
Unique Infrastructure Highlights
- The "Smart" Patient Journey: NHH uses a paperless system. From the Self-Registration Kiosk to the EMR, your medical history is instantly accessible to every specialist in the building.
- Hybrid OR Technology: This facility allows a "one-stop" surgery where a patient can undergo a catheter-based procedure (like a stent) and open surgery (like a bypass) in the same room without being moved.
- Dedicated International Support: The hospital provides a "VIP Meet & Greet" service and assist with visa extensions, particularly tailored for regional travelers from Indonesia and surrounding countries.
Achievements Highlights
Northern Heart Hospital (NHH) has rapidly achieved significant milestones since its inception, positioning itself as a center of excellence for cardiovascular care in Southeast Asia. Its clinician-led model and specialized focus have earned it several "firsts" in the region.
Achievements & Highlights of Northern Heart Hospital
| Category | Achievement / Milestone | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Pioneer | 1st Dedicated Heart Hospital | The first and only specialized cardiac and vascular hospital in Penang and the Northern Region of Malaysia (Opened June 2024). |
| Infrastructure | 1st Hybrid Operating Theatre | Home to the first Hybrid OR in Northern Malaysia, allowing surgeons to perform both open and minimally invasive procedures in one setting. |
| Patient Volume | 14,000+ Patients in Year 1 | Since its soft opening in 2024, the hospital successfully treated over 14,000 local and international patients within its first year. |
| Technology | Advanced Cardiac Imaging | First in the region to utilize the eBike EL Ergometer for safer, more precise non-invasive cardiac stress testing (introduced March 2025). |
| Medical Milestone | Diabetic Limb Salvage Centre | Launched a dedicated center in late 2025 focusing on vascular interventions to prevent amputations in diabetic patients. |
| Business Model | Clinician-Owned Model | Operates on a unique "Specialists as Partners" model, ensuring that clinical leadership directly drives hospital quality and patient safety. |
| Recognition | Medical Tourism Hub | Recognized by the Penang State Government as a key contributor to Penang’s 45% share of Malaysia’s total medical tourism revenue. |
| Network Support | TE Asia Healthcare Partnership | Backed by TE Asia Healthcare Partners, a regional leader in specialty hospital operations across Southeast Asia. |
Clinical & Research Highlights
- Research Leadership: Founding consultants, such as Dr. Barakath Badusha, have served as investigators for major international trials (REACH, RELY, and EARLY ACS), bringing global clinical standards to the hospital.
- Remote Monitoring: Every patient room is equipped with telemetry monitoring, allowing nursing stations to track heart rhythms in real-time, even in standard wards.
- Smart Hospital Integration: One of the few new facilities in the region to be built from the ground up with a fully paperless Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system and smart-kiosk registration.
- Comprehensive Cardiac Rehab: Unlike general hospitals, NHH provides a dedicated wing for Cardiac Rehabilitation, integrating physiotherapy and specialized nutrition plans tailored specifically for heart recovery.
Infrastructure
Northern Heart Hospital (NHH) is a "smart" quaternary hospital purpose-built for cardiovascular care. Its nine-storey facility is located on Peel Avenue, George Town, and is designed with an emphasis on seamless medical technology and patient monitoring.
Infrastructure & Core Technology
| Category | Key Infrastructure & Equipment |
|---|---|
| Surgical Suites | Features a Hybrid Operating Theatre equipped with the Philips Azurion 7C20 Flex Arm, allowing simultaneous surgery and high-definition imaging. |
| Cardiac Labs | Two advanced Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratories (CathLabs) utilizing Philips Azurion systems (Single Plane 7C12 and Bi-Plane 7B12/12). |
| Diagnostic Imaging | Equipped with the Siemens MAGNETOM Sola 3T MRI (with BioMatrix technology), Siemens SOMATOM CT, and Viola Digital Mammography. |
| Monitoring Systems | Every ward and room is integrated with a Wireless Cardiac Telemetry System, allowing real-time heart rhythm monitoring from central nursing stations. |
| Specialized Labs | Dedicated Electrophysiology (EP) Laboratory for arrhythmia studies and a Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Laboratory (NICL). |
| Smart Hospital | Paperless infrastructure using Electronic Medical Records (EMR), self-registration kiosks, and mobile appointment booking. |
| Patient Capacity | 56-bed capacity including ICU (Intensive Care), HDU (High Dependency), and negative-pressure Isolation Rooms. |
| Facility Amenities | 9-storey building with 3 levels of parking (163 bays), dedicated prayer rooms (Level 7), and an on-site Health Screening Centre. |
Infrastructure Highlights
- The Hybrid Suite Advantage: The Hybrid OR is a critical infrastructure piece that allows the multidisciplinary team (surgeons and cardiologists) to switch from a minimally invasive procedure to open surgery without moving the patient, significantly increasing safety for complex cases like TAVI.
- Smart Patient Rooms: All rooms are designed for "recovery in comfort," featuring smart TVs, bar fridges, and sofa beds for companions. The integration of telemetry means patients in standard suites still receive high-level cardiac monitoring.
- Diagnostic Efficiency: The infrastructure is optimized for "One-Stop service; the Imaging Centre and Laboratory are linked to provide rapid results, often within the same day for international travelers.
Department
Northern Heart Hospital (NHH) is a highly specialized quaternary care facility dedicated exclusively to cardiovascular and thoracic health. Its departments are organized to provide a "full-circle" care model—from early screening and non-invasive diagnostics to complex surgical interventions and post-operative rehabilitation.
Clinical Departments at Northern Heart Hospital
| Department | Key Focus & Specialized Services |
|---|---|
| Cardiology | Focuses on heart health management, including general cardiology, interventional cardiology (angioplasty/stents), and structural heart disease. |
| Electrophysiology | Specialized in heart rhythm disorders, managing arrhythmias through diagnostic studies, pacemaker/ICD implantations, and catheter ablations. |
| Cardiothoracic Surgery | Handles major surgeries of the heart and lungs, including Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) and heart valve repair or replacement. |
| Vascular Surgery | Dedicated to the treatment of blood vessels and lymphatic conditions, ranging from minimally invasive angioplasty to complex bypass surgeries. |
| Radiology & Diagnostics | Provides high-definition imaging including 3T MRI, CT Coronary Angiogram, and 3D Echocardiography for precise anatomical mapping. |
| Nephrology & Internal Medicine | Manages the relationship between heart and kidney health, providing renal function support and managing chronic internal medical conditions. |
| Cardiac Anaesthesiology | A specialized team focused on perioperative care and anesthesia specifically for complex cardiac and thoracic surgical procedures. |
Specialized Service Units
Beyond the clinical departments, NHH features specialized units that support patient recovery:
- Health Screening Centre: A one-stop facility for heart-specific wellness packages (Essential, Premium, and Advanced Heart Wellness).
- Cardiac Catheterisation Labs (CathLab): Features the latest Philips Azurion systems for minimally invasive heart interventions.
- Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Lab (NICL): For tests like ECG, stress tests, and ambulatory Holter monitoring.
- Hybrid Operating Theatre: A state-of-the-art suite that combines a traditional OR with a CathLab for complex, multi-stage surgeries.
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: A dedicated program including physiotherapy and nutritional counseling to help patients recover after surgery or a heart event.
