In conjunction with World Heart Day, a team from Gleneagles JPMC comprising 20 climbers took on Mount Kinabalu on September 16.
The team, including healthcare professionals and fitness enthusiasts, embarked on the climb to symbolise the importance of cardiovascular health and to raise awareness on heart disease prevention.
The expedition supported this year’s World Heart Day theme ‘Use Heart for Action’, empowering individuals to take cardiovascular health seriously and encouraging others to focus on their fitness journey.
The climb up the mountain in severe weather conditions served as a testament to the team’s commitment. Due to worsening weather condition, the expedition was halted before reaching the summit, as advised by officials in charge. However, reaching Panalaban, the final pit stop of the mountain expedition, safely was an accomplishment on its own.
Gleneagles JPMC Chief Operating Officer ‘Izzul Hamzi bin Haji Jomari, who was part of the expedition, said, “We anticipated the climb to be challenging but not to the level that we experienced, especially with the severe weather. Our months of dedicated training prepared the team well to collectively overcome these challenges.
“We hope this experience will inspire others in their fitness journey, for them to live stronger and healthier lives.”
Assistant nurse manager Roslinda binti Bachok from the Operating Theatre Department added, “It was a difficult expedition, especially with the severe weather, but experiencing the moment with my colleagues feels incredibly rewarding.”
Meanwhile, Gleneagles JPMC Chief Executive Officer Dr Peter Tay said, “We at Gleneagles JPMC are proud of our team for taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Kinabalu for a good cause. We are committed to supporting a healthy work-life balance for our staff, and initiatives like this help them stay connected with each other as well as boost their mental well-being.
“The expedition is a great example of how staying active can be very beneficial for them as individuals and as a team, in line with the spirit of World Heart Day.”
World Heart Day is celebrated annually on September 29, as a global campaign to educate and motivate individuals to take charge of their heart health.
