As Of 2008 Heart Patients Need Not Wait Long

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- Heart patients who currently have to wait anything from six months to a year to receive treatment or undergo an operation at the National Heart Institute (IJN) need not wait long by 2008.

Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said that under the expansion plans for a new block of the IJN building, estimated to cost RM209 million, heart patients will only have to wait three to six months.

"Ten years ago, IJN only received 50,000 outpatients a year and 8,000 warded patients. Now, IJN has 122,000 outpatients a year and 12,000 patients in the wards," he said at the agreement signing ceremony for the appointment of the project contractor, here Monday.

IJN was represented by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mohd Radzif Mohd Yunus and Medical Director Datuk Seri Dr Robaayah Zambahari, whereas the construction companies, UEM Construction Sdn Bhd and Intria Bina Sdn Berhad Joint Venture, were represented by Datuk Mohd Nor Idrus and Abdul Hamid Abdul Rahim, respectively.

Speaking to reporters later, Dr Chua said that the government had subsidised RM144 million last year to cover the medical expenses of civil servants and the needy, compared to only RM35 million in 1992.

"When the expansion project is completed, IJN will have an additional 158 beds, 12 in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). After this IJN should receive more outstation patients, with health tourism being a source of income," he said.

He also complimented the IJN for its decision to obtain funding by creating what is called Islamic Bonds (Sukuk Musyarakah), rated by the Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC) as "AAA", for RM100 million to mature in seven years or less.

Dr Chua also denied claims that in the last three years a large number of IJN staff had resigned because only three consultants and eight clinical specialists had resigned during that period.

-- BERNAMA

It maybe true that by 2008, the long wait maybe over but will things at IJN prove to be beyond the reach of many financially. Already many patients are finding it difficult to pay for their treatment there. This is what happens when corporatisation comes into the picture.