Cardiac facilities among best-planned in country

Star: KUCHING: Facilities to handle heart problems are among the best in the country as far as speciality fields in Malaysia are concerned, Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said.
He said the country had three cardiac centres – in Penang, Johor and Kuching – with 15 cardiologists, nine cardiac anaesthesiologists and 14 perfusionists (people who operate heart-lung machines).
“There are also a number of people in the queue for these training programmes,” he said at the opening of the fourth Biennial Meeting on Cardiopulmonary Bypass here yesterday.
His speech was read out by state Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Soon Choon Teck.
Dr Chua said the ministry was setting up a new cardiac centre in Serdang to cater for the central region of Peninsular Malaysia.
The centre in Penang handles the northern region, Johor (southern region) and Kuching (Sarawak and Sabah).
“I am proud to say that this is one of the most well-planned speciality fields,” he said.
The three-day conference was organised by the Sarawak General Hospital in collaboration with the Health Ministry.