A cardiac catheterisation laboratory, set up with financial assistance from the Infaq Foundation, opened at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) on Saturday.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the NICVD Executive Director Prof Khan Shah Zaman expressed his gratitude to the charity organisation for providing financial support for the angiography machine. “The foundation has generously donated in various projects of NICVD in the past also.”
Discussing about the disease burden of coronary artery disease in the society, Zaman emphasised on public education for primary prevention of cardiac diseases. “The NICVD has already conducted a week-long public awareness programme in collaboration with the Pakistan Cardiac Society.”
Informing the audience about the enormous workload at the cardiac institute, he said that the NICVD is providing facilities to the general public at very affordable and nominal charges.
Zaman elaborated on some of the salient features of services being provided at the NICVD that also include 24-hour, seven days a week provision for primary coronary angioplasty and cardiac bypass surgery.
“At the evening clinic, patients are diagnosed by experts at nominal charges – in addition to the routine morning out-patient department, which is attended by 1,500 to 2,000 patients daily – as well as facilities for all invasive and non-invasive procedures,” the NICVD executive director said.
He said that BLS/ACLS programme has been launched in collaboration with the Dow University of Health Sciences and the department of rehabilitation and public education shall begin functioning soon and regular classes for general public and patients shall be conducted.
Speaking on the occasion, event’s chief guest Infaq Foundation Chief Executive Officer Rear Admiral (retd) Syed A Baqar appreciated the cardiac institute’s efforts and its commitment for treating the poor of the country.
He promised that the foundation shall continue to support the NICVD for future developmental programmes.
NICVD Catheterisation Laboratories In-charge Dr. Tahir Saghir presented his vote of thanks.
Later, the chief guest formally inaugurated the new laboratory.
The event was attended by members of the Cardiovascular Foundation, Rotary Club and former NICVD executive directors and professors.
Donor support helps NICVD get new laboratory
