The healthcare landscape in Malaysia is very dynamic. To survive in such an environment, businesses must keep up with the pace. It’s not always easy, but for Intan Mahzalinda Abdullah, CEO of Siti Healthcare Sdn Bhd she believes it’s possible with the right blend of people, skills and attitude.
“We need to accelerate,” says Siti Healthcare Sdn Bhd CEO Intan Mahzalinda. “You need to ensure the momentum continues to move forward. Aligned with Siti Healthcare’s mission and vision, the company has the potential to grow beyond in this dynamic and fast-moving industry and position itself as the Preferred Primary Care.”
“The mission and vision are there, but who and how do we push the button and accelerate to the desired speed? Intan tells WargaBiz.
Siti Healthcare: From generation to generation
Established in 1991, the first branch was in Banting – operated by Dr Ali’s mother, Datin Dr Siti Ropeah Yusoff. In October 2016, Dato’ Sri Dr Muhammad Ali Yahya, chairman of Siti Group Healthcare took over the business and evolved it into the largest wholly-owned and exclusively Bumiputera chain clinic in Malaysia, offering affordable healthcare services.
Its niche area is Obstetrics and Gynaecology (O&G) – offering ultrasound scans, Pregnancy & Wellness records following government hospital standards, pap smear screening, etc.
Carrying the brand name Klinik Siti, Siti Healthcare Sdn Bhd is a company with a lot of momentum, but one strong focus: to provide patients with medical treatments that abide by Islamic principles – which includes hiring female doctors to minimise cross-gender interactions between patients and doctors during treatment. These are the main elements that tend to be neglected by other private clinics.
100 days plan
As she is relatively new to Siti Healthcare Sdn Bhd, Intan emphasises that taking over the responsibility as the new CEO is not an easy task. She has big shoes to fil and must work hard to match Dr Ali’s standards and credibility.
“Roughly, it has been less than three months since I joined this company. I’m very excited to embark on my new career path. Having big shoes to fill is a great opportunity, but it also presents challenges that I hope I won’t let Dr Ali and Dr Murni down,” she says.
“The support is always there from the chairman and Datin Sri Dr Yetti Murni. They have both given me their full support since day 1.”
For Intan, her focus right now in her first 100 days in the job position as the new CEO is to bring everything she has to the table and contribute to facilitating the rapid transformation of the company.
A perfect fit
Intan’s ascent has been in step with Siti Healthcare’s quick pace. After beginning her career with Boustead Holdings where she was exposed to different subsidiaries within Boustead, she soon developed an interest in the healthcare field. She then found her true calling in the healthcare field which began in the year 2000.
“I think it’s in my blood. Healthcare intrigued me. So I became very motivated and passionate to explore it. I love to get involved at the operational level, to see patients and understand their concerns and problems. I want to be able to help them,” she shares.
When the opportunity arose to join Siti Healthcare as CEO, Intan welcomed the change presented. “I could see that the company has great prospects,” she recalls.
“When choosing a career or a company, I pray to God to grant me a career or a company where I can spend the rest of my days doing good deeds. A place where I can make a positive impact on the ummah. I believe this company has what I’m looking for,” she calmly explains.
“Alone we can do little things, but with the right team, a lot can be done”
In Siti Healthcare, she saw a perfect fit for her management style. “I’ve always strived to deliver my best wherever I’ve worked. But I don’t want to overpromise,” she explains. “I would like to bring change. My aim is always to give the best shot. I knew I could deliver it as Dr Ali and I shared the same vision. It gives me more confidence to work together as a team.”
Expanding beyond borders
With that in mind, she sets about streamlining the processes. She pointed out that some areas need to be changed, including the digital and people transformation. For employees to be engaged in a transformation process, communication has to be really effective within the organisation.
She is set to utilise her leadership skills and business mindset to take Siti Healthcare to the next level. “For now, we focus on our five-year plans – to spread our wings and have a solid presence in Malaysia. Our current priority is our expansion programme. We strive to build 200 clinics nationwide, an IVF center, and the biggest plan is to build a hospital. It’s all in the plan, and I believe we can deliver it.”
“I’m really looking forward to this expansion programme and ensuring the brand name of Klinik Siti remains relevant to the community we serve. With the new addition of an IVF center and hospital, it’s something big that people will talk about,” she ends.
Read also How This Dynamic Duo Is Conquering The Healthcare Business By Setting Up Klinik Siti
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