Heart Treatment: Turning the equipment on

RAWALPINDI: The angiogram at Holy Family Hospital, installed about eight years ago, will become operational on January 20. Official sources said the Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC) principal had directed the cardiology department to make the necessary arrangements.

Professor Dr Afzal Farooqi issued an order directing the Head of Cardiology department Benazir Bhutto Hospital Dr Fiaz Shah to activate the angiogram at Holy Family Hospital.

The equipment was installed in 2003 at the cost Rs600 million and is the only public sector angiogram in the city. Angiography, also known as arteriography, is a medical imaging technique used to visualise the inside of blood vessels and organs of the body.

It helps locate clots and blockage in the arteries of heart patients. The machine was not being used for some reason despite the fact that proper training was provided to the doctors and ancillary staff for the procedure that costs more than twice as much in the private sector.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2012.