Sudden cardiac arrest remains one of Malaysia’s leading causes of death, often striking without warning and requiring immediate intervention. Survival rates in the country remain low, ranging between 0.5% and 8.5%, largely due to limited access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and delays in initiating Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Recognising the urgent need to strengthen emergency preparedness, Sunway Medical Centre Velocity (SMCV) has launched a new corporate social responsibility initiative aimed at improving both AED accessibility and public confidence in responding to cardiac emergencies. The initiative builds on the hospital’s earlier “Save A Number, Save A Life” campaign and reinforces its commitment to promoting timely action during medical emergencies.
According to SMCV Medical Director and Consultant Emergency Physician, Dr Wee Tong Ming, sudden cardiac arrest can happen anytime and anywhere, and delays in response can make the difference between life and death. To improve emergency response readiness, SMCV has installed AED units at several high-traffic locations across Kuala Lumpur, including MRT stations such as Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Bukit Bintang, Ampang Park and Muzium Negara, as well as Aquaria KLCC, Menara Public Bank and Menara Public Bank 2. Additional installations will be carried out at Stadium Merdeka, Public Bank-ITTC and Bangunan Public Bank along Jalan Sultan Sulaiman. Each AED unit is accompanied by a clearly visible standee and QR code linking users to essential emergency guidance from the “Save A Number, Save A Life” campaign webpage.
SMCV Chief Executive Officer Susan Cheow said the hospital is committed to bridging gaps in emergency response by making life-saving tools more accessible and easier to use. Beyond installing AEDs, the hospital has also organised on-site AED training sessions and Accident & Emergency awareness talks to equip the public with practical knowledge on recognising cardiac arrest symptoms, performing CPR and using an AED safely. Dr Wee emphasised that while AED availability is crucial, public understanding and confidence are equally important to ensure effective intervention when every second counts.
Through this initiative, SMCV hopes to foster a stronger culture of emergency preparedness across public and corporate spaces, encouraging Malaysians to view emergency response as an essential part of everyday planning rather than an afterthought. By combining infrastructure improvements with education and community engagement, the hospital continues to advocate for proactive healthcare and aims to increase the chances of survival for individuals experiencing cardiac emergencies throughout the country.
