Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) and Institut Sukan Negara (ISN) have formalised a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing the healthcare journey of Malaysia’s athletes and sports professionals.
The collaboration focuses on delivering more seamless, coordinated and specialised care, particularly in the areas of surgical intervention, rehabilitation, post-operative recovery and safe return-to-sport protocols.
The MoU was officiated by SMCV Chief Executive Officer Susan Cheow and Medical Director and Consultant Emergency Physician Dr Wee Tong Ming, alongside a team of orthopaedic, trauma and sports medicine specialists. Representing ISN were Chief Executive Officer Dr Vellapandian Ponnusamy and senior leaders from its sports science, medicine and rehabilitation divisions.
At the core of the partnership is a shared commitment to providing a comprehensive and streamlined healthcare pathway for ISN athletes and staff. This includes improved access to outpatient and inpatient care, advanced diagnostic imaging such as MRI and CT scans, orthopaedic treatment for sports-related injuries, and dermatology services for sports-specific skin conditions.
To facilitate this, both institutions will implement a structured referral system, enabling athletes to benefit from the combined expertise and facilities of SMCV and ISN throughout their treatment and recovery journey.
“We are pleased to partner with ISN in a collaboration that reflects our shared commitment to supporting the health and recovery of Malaysia’s athletes and sports professionals,” said Cheow. “This is not a one-off arrangement, but the start of a sustainable partnership that brings together complementary strengths to deliver long-term impact.”
The partnership places strong emphasis on evidence-based recovery and return-to-sport protocols, ensuring that treatment plans are tailored to the specific medical and performance needs of each athlete.
ISN CEO Dr Vellapandian said the collaboration strengthens the institute’s ability to provide specialised care when advanced medical intervention is required.
“By bridging the gap between sports science and clinical expertise, we are giving our athletes the best possible support to recover from injuries and return to peak performance,” he said.
Beyond clinical care, the MoU also establishes a framework for ongoing knowledge exchange between both institutions, including the sharing of medical expertise, best practices and advancements in sports medicine.
The agreement further introduces a cross-referral system, reinforcing a more integrated approach to athlete care across surgery, rehabilitation and sports medicine.
Through this partnership, SMCV and ISN aim to strengthen Malaysia’s ecosystem of care for athletes, supporting not only recovery from injury but also long-term health, resilience and performance.