Bid to ease backlog of child heart patients
Published on: Sunday, September 11, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: A deal may be struck between the State government and Gleneagles Hospital to have child heart patients undergo surgery at the hospital in an effort to reduce the backlog in the State.Community Development and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad who said discussions are underway on inking a Memorandum of Understanding revealed that she had already met the private hospital's management on two occasions."I was told that they have the necessary facility to conduct the surgery here. ADVERTISEMENT "They also informed me that they do not mind helping to operate on child heart patients referred from government hospitals."But this matter is still at a discussion stage with the private hospital and if the MoU materialises, the number on the wait list will drop," she said.Jainab was speaking at the Society of Sabah Heart Fund (SOSHF) Open Day celebration held in conjunction with the World Heart Day and Welfare Month, Saturday. She said she was told about 25 child patients in the State are urgently waiting their turn to undergo surgery and that this worried her.ADVERTISEMENT In the meantime, Jainab applauded the SOSHF on their effort to help clear the backlog of young heart patients in hospital by sending them to undergo corrective heart surgery at the National Heart Institute and South Korea."The SOSHF is one of the 23 NGOs under our ministry and I am proud of them of their very dedicated work, support, effectiveness and efficiency.
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"This has been a very important role they have been playing in the community the past 35 years from a humble start in 1981 and I look forward to an even better 35 years ahead."I also know your plight for a 'halfway home' in that you are facing some obstacles to realise a home for the many young heart patients to shelter at while attending or seeking medical attention at the Likas Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital II or while they are in transit, en route to seeking medical attention overseas as such in Kuala Lumpur or Korea."I hope your 'pledger', who is a very prominent businessman I understand will also desire to meet your need urgently to find a more friendly approach for you to realise your dream," she said.Jainab also appealed to the public and corporate communities to come forward and offer a helping hand to help SOSHF raise funds for patients in need.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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She added the heart disease is the world's number one killer and that research found cardiovascular diseases are currently responsible for almost 17.5 million premature deaths per year and possibly rise to nearly 23 million by 2030. Also present were SOSHF President Datuk Christine Vanhouten, its Vice President Datuk William Chai, Likas Women and Children Hospital Director Dr Tan Bee Hwai and Consultant Paediatrician Cardiologist Dr Siva Rao.