KOTA SAMARAHAN, Jan 15: Sarawak Heart Center (SHC) is now the first hospital outside China in the Asian region to have Wire-Free Fractional Flow Reverse System (wf-FFR) for treating heart patients.
This after the equipment made by a company from China which cost RM199,800 was donated by Sarawak Heart Foundation (SHF) to SHC in a ceremony in the center, here today.
Tanjong Datu State Assemblyman and SHF Board of Trustee, Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu gave the equipment to SHC Director Dr Mohd Asri Riffin in an official handover today.
The event was also attended by Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Seri Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian and SHC Cardiology Department Cardiology Consultant Professor Dr Alan Fong Yean Yip.
Jamilah said wf-FFR was used to assess the severity of blockages in the cardiac coronary artery and the machine could be used by SHC to treat up to 400 cardiac patients a year.
“SHC had written to this foundation for financial assistance (acquiring wf-FFR) last year and we have been working closely with the center on upgrading its facilities and equipment,” she said.
She said with the sponsorship of the equipment, the total amount of medical equipment donated by the foundation to SHC since 2011 totals RM2.66 million.
Meanwhile, Dr Fong explained that the wf-FFR equipment would enable them to more accurately assess the severity of blockages in the patient’s coronary artery.
He said there no need to operate on the patient and the patient would only take medication if the blockages severity is found not serious. —DayakDaily
