Heart care: Cardiology clinic opens in Hyderabad

AKU's diagnostic services include echocardiography, exercise tolerance test, electrocardiogram and holter monitoring.

HYDERABAD:

The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) launched cardiology services at its Maternal and Child Care Center in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

According to Dr Khawar Kazmi, the consultant cardiologist and head of cardiology at AKUH, the diagnostic services will include echocardiography (ECHO), exercise tolerance test (ETT), electrocardiogram (ECG) and holter monitoring.

“The introduction of cardiology services will help reduce the need and cost of sending cardiac patients to Karachi for certain tests and diagnosis,” he said. “Patients who require invasive procedures, however, will still be referred to AKUH, Karachi.”

Dr Kazmi also announced the launch of a tele-health clinic later this year. “Cardiologists from AKUH Karachi will be available for consultation via video conferencing.” Muhammad Habib Khan, the head of secondary care hospitals, said that the AKUH network in Sindh comprises four secondary hospitals, including three in Karachi and one in Hyderabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2014.