Take Heart With "Rakan IJN"

KUALA LUMPUR, April 5 (Bernama) -- Perhaps the most pressing question in the minds of heart patients counting the days before an operation at the National Heart Institute (IJN) is: "Am I going to die during the operation, or after?"
That question is the one most often asked, and it is completely understandable in such a situation.
But take heart you patients! A group has been formed, based on the realisation of this harsh reality, to try to ease the tension and instil courage in such patients. Called "Rakan IJN" (Friends of IJN), it extends its "therapy" before and after an operation.
Former Rakan IJN Chairman Ahmad Hassan said the voluntary group, in line with the slogan of the institute "We Light Up Your Heart", also helps to bring cheer and hope to the patients.
Ahmad said the group adopted its own approach by visiting the patients in the wards for light conversation aimed at dispelling tension and instilling positive thoughts and feelings which can calm them.
"This approach helps tremendously, and many patients said they would like to join us after the operation," he told Bernama at the launch of the association here recently.
Recollecting the group's formation in 1998, Ahmad, 71, said the idea was mooted by the then medical director of the institute, Tan Sri Dr Yahya Awang, who appointed Brig Gen (R) Adam Abu Bakar (now deceased) as its leader.
After eight years, the group's membership has increased and Ahmad felt it was time for the group to be registered.
The name, Rakan IJN, was changed to "Persatuan Rakan IJN Malaysia" (Rakan IJN Association of Malaysia) and it has become a legal entity after the registration.
With the membership now at 50, comprising former heart patients, their relatives and friends, staff of the institute and others, the association was now free to carry out various activities.
Association Chairman Datin Raja Zuraida Raja Mansur said the main aim of the association was to bring moral support to patients and their relatives or friends through counselling and emotional support based on their own experience as former patients.
"Besides providing a mobile library, we also provide recreation and advice on treatment based on the guidelines provided by doctors," she said.
Raja Zuraida, 41, is the wife of the chief surgeon at the institute, Datuk Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub.
She said the funds derived from the membership fees were used to buy toys for sick children and give as aid to other heart patients at the institute.
Information on the association's services and assistance is available at the Held Desk Service at the information counter at the institute's main entrance.
"Rakan IJN" is open to Malaysians 18 years and older and a RM10 fee is payable for registration, RM20 a year for ordinary members, RM100 for whole life members payable once, and RM20 for associate members.