SIBU: A satellite heart centre and a satellite cardiac centre need to be set up in the central region, which has a total population of 760,000 people.
The proposed projects costing a total of RM50 million are part of the RM1 billion in funds which Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate for P211 Lanang, Wong Ching Yong will fight for if he wins in the 15th General Election (GE15).
“Heart disease is a matter of life and death especially if one’s artery is blocked. With this centre, many lives can be saved,” said Wong during a press conference today.
He added that he would ensure that the project be implemented if he is elected. Currently, heart patients in the central region need to be referred to such centres in Kuching.
SUPP Dudong assistant treasurer Dr Wong Chye Wei said a satellite cardiac centre in the region can act as a diagnostic and early intervention centre.
“Before a patient has any distinctive procedure on their heart, they can have an early intervention and then can be referred to Kuching for further intervention and maybe for heart surgery,” he said.
With this centre, he said a patient’s life could be saved immediately, rather than being referred to Kuching where valuable time is wasted.
The cardiac centre can also function as a primary care and for educational purposes for the health care profession and the general public.
As for the satellite cancer centre, he said can provide treatment to the patients such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
“Based on a study done by the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland in 2004, for every 48,000 people, a cardiologist is needed. Based on this figure, we will need 16 cardiologists for the central region with a population of 760,000 people,” said Dr Wong.
The central region is made up of Sibu with 350,000 people, Sarikei (140,000), Kapit (135,000) and Mukah (135,000). — DayakDaily
