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TNB uplifts caregivers with Better Brighter Dormitory IJNF–TNB
When his young child needed heart surgery at National Heart Institute (IJN), 28-year-old Mohd Fakhrullah Zaharudin left Cukai, Terengganu and came to Kuala Lumpur without hesitation.
As a labourer supporting a young family, he knew staying in the city for days or weeks would be expensive, yet going home was never an option.
“My child had heart surgery at IJN and I stayed at the Better Brighter Dormitory for two weeks. It has been a very good experience here. The facilities are well kept, organised and peaceful,” he said.
For parents like him, the Better Brighter Dormitory operated by IJN Foundation (IJNF) in partnership with Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) offers something deeply important. It turns what could have been a stressful search for affordable accommodation into a safe and steady place to rest while staying close to a loved one receiving treatment.
“Every area is properly maintained and the environment feels reassuring, almost like being in my own home. This support helps financially and gives peace of mind and emotional strength,” Fakhrullah said.
Another parent with the same struggle
His experience reflects that of Nurhan Abdullah, 31, from Semporna, Sabah. Nurhan works as a labourer earning RM600 to RM700 a month by helping villagers harvest palm oil fruits, and as the sole provider for six children, the cost of accommodation in Kuala Lumpur would have been impossible.
“This dormitory has helped me throughout my child’s treatment at IJN. It is near the hospital, which makes it easy to go back and forth to the ward every day,” he said.
Nurhan has been staying at the dormitory since Oct 17 to support his child through major cardiac procedure. With limited income and a large family back home relying on him, the relief was significant.
“I am very thankful to TNB and IJNF because I do not need to spend money on a place to stay throughout my child’s treatment,” he said.
A daughter supporting her father
For Nurul Fatiha Sulaiman, 28, a supervisor from Muar, Johor, the Better Brighter Dormitory eased the pressure of supporting her father as he awaited treatment in IJN’s NIC unit. She had been at IJN for five days when doctors informed her that her father would need a bypass operation after three major arteries were found to be blocked.
With hotel rooms costing more than RM100 a night and transport expenses mounting, the affordability of the dormitory lifted a significant burden.
“The low cost here really helps from a financial point of view because it is affordable for families who are already under pressure,” she said.
She expressed hopes for more families to have access to similar spaces.
“I hope TNB and IJN can expand this facility and add more rooms because it is always full and many families need a place like this,” she said.
A space to rest, recover and stay close
The Better Brighter Dormitory IJNF–TNB was established to support caregivers of IJN patients, especially those who travel from outside the Klang Valley or come from lower-income households. Its location near IJN allows families to remain close by without enduring long daily commutes or the high costs of staying in commercial accomodation.
Inside, the environment is simple but thoughtfully arranged. Families share a pantry where they can prepare meals. Washing machines and dryers help them manage long stays. A common lounge equipped with a television gives them a space to relax between ward visits. Air-conditioned dormitories and family rooms allow caregivers to get proper rest after long hours at the hospital.
The dormitory consists of four family rooms, a men’s dormitory and two women’s dormitories equipped with single and double-decker beds. It can accommodate up to 54 occupants at one time and an estimated 3,500 people use the facility annually.
For many, this support is the difference between being able to stay close to their loved ones and having to navigate unfamiliar surroundings alone and under significant stress.
Keeping families close when they are needed most
The partnership between IJNF and TNB began in 2017 with a clear purpose: to give families of heart patients a safe, clean and affordable accommodation option during one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
“The main role of the Better Brighter Dormitory is to provide comfortable temporary accommodation for caregivers of patients receiving treatment at IJN, and it allows family members who come from far away to stay close to their loved ones during treatment, without worrying about logistics and high accommodation costs,” said IJN deputy CEO and IJNF trustee Datuk Akmal Arief Mohamed Fauzi.
Priority is given to families of patients in critical care units, those travelling from outside the Klang Valley and B40 households who cannot afford hotels nearby. Applications are made through the ward and verified before check in. Rates are deliberately kept minimal and fees may be waived for families who need long term stays or who are unable to pay.
Beyond physical comfort, Akmal highlighted the emotional importance of the space.
“The dormitory gives families a social and emotional support space so they can be close to the patient, offer encouragement and prayers, and protect their mental and emotional wellbeing,” Akmal explained.
Daily operations at the dormitory are handled by an experienced external operator appointed by IJNF. This team oversees cleanliness, linen management and safety, with regular monitoring to maintain standards across all shared areas.
Supporting Malaysian families
Through its corporate responsibility contributions, TNB ensures that families who must travel for treatment do not face these challenges alone, while the IJNF identifies those most in need and maintains a space that is welcoming, accessible and dignified.
In practice, this means a modest building close to IJN’s wards where families prepare meals side by side, fold laundry together or share quiet conversations between visiting hours. It is a space where parents gather strength before returning to the ward and where strangers often become a small support community.
For caregivers such as Fakhrullah, Nurhan and Fatiha, the dormitory is more than a temporary accommodation. It is a source of stability, relief and reassurance during a time filled with uncertainty.
