KUALA LUMPUR: The establishment of the National Cancer Institute (IKN) is a lasting legacy of the late Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who passed away on Monday (April 14).
The institute was established after his personal loss, following the death of his wife, Datin Seri Endon Mahmood, from breast cancer in 2005.
Public Health Malaysia in a Facebook post shared that Abdullah’s grief over the loss of his wife became the driving force behind the creation of IKN.
He was determined that no one should face the same pain without hope.
“IKN is not just a medical building. It is a legacy of love, dedication and hope. The love of a husband for his wife and the love of a leader for his people.
“Here, many come seeking a second chance at life. From painful loss, the seeds of compassion were sown, breathing new life into the fight against cancer,” the statement read.
IKN’s website noted that the construction of the institute was a long-awaited project and a key aspect of the government’s social responsibility.
It aims to provide world-class healthcare in line with the aspirations of Vision 2020 to transform Malaysia into a developed nation.
Under the leadership of Abdullah, a 1,065-acre site in Precinct 7, Putrajaya, was selected for the development of IKN, and the groundbreaking ceremony took place on January 9, 2007.
The building was completed in under three years, and began operations on September 2, 2013, providing services in radiotherapy, oncology, nuclear medicine, surgical oncology and palliative care.
Since then, it has become the leading cancer treatment centre in Malaysia, offering hope and comprehensive care to thousands of patients.
The institute also became a centre for research and education, with the Clinical Research Centre (CRC) established in 2014 to support clinical research and provide training to healthcare professionals.