KUCHING: Since 2016, some 4,418 patients were admitted to the Sarawak Heart Centre (PJS).
This was disclosed by Assistant Minister of Housing and Public Health, Dr Annuar Rapaee.
He said a total of 49,156 patients had also sought outpatient treatment at the centre last year.
Replying to a question raised by Dato Haji Idris Buang (BN-Muara Tuang), Dr Annuar who is also the Assistant Minister for Education and Technological Research said a total of 282 cases of open heart surgery and 1,128 cases of coronary intervention (angioplasty) were performed at PJS last year.
He also said the two main types of heart surgery available at PJS were open heart surgery, including pulmonary artery by-pass, and angioplasty.
Dr Annuar said the government’s plan was to improve the capacity of the PJS by providing outpatient services, specialised heart treatment and consultations, heart operations, urology and nuclear medicine to the public.
He said there were 12 cardiologists, three heart
surgery specialists, 53 medical officers and 368 nurses attached to PJS.
He said the Anjung Kasih facility had also been set up at PJS under the management of Sarawak Heart Foundation.
The Anjung Kasih facility is equipped with 14 beds
and is offered free for the
families of needy patients particularly those from rural areas, he said.
Earlier, Dr Annuar said in January last year the centre changed its name to Sarawak Heart Centre (PJS) and it was operating separately from the Sarawak General Hospital.