Opening of new specialised unit boosts heart care
The International Specialised Centre for Heart and Vascular Diseases uses the latest technology for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases
MADIHA ASIF madiha@timesofoman.com
MUSCAT: With the aim of reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases in the country and to save the budget of the health economy, a senior cardiologist has established a centre to deal with heart and vascular diseases in Oman.
Inaugurated under the auspices of Dr Hamed Said Al Oufi, Undersecretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the International Specialised Centre for Heart and Vascular Diseases is located in Athaiba. It deals with the complexity of heart and vascular-related diseases by providing hi-end services to patients through the use of modern technology, with professional doctors and staff on board.
Talking to Times of Oman, Dr Matlooba Zadjali, Executive Director and Senior Cardiologist (heart failure) at the centre, said: “My main aim is to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases in the country and to save the budget of the health economy, and to mainly target the risk factors which lead to cardiovascular diseases. So, prevention is better than cure.”
She added, “This centre is considered to be the first centre in the private sector for heart and vascular diseases in Oman”.
“The burden of cardiovascular diseases is high worldwide, as well as in Oman. As per the statistics of the Ministry of Health, in 2016, cardiovascular disease was considered to be the leading cause of deaths in Oman,” Dr Zadjali said.
In this regard, the senior cardiologist had been planning to establish the unit for a long time.
“I have been thinking of setting up this centre in Oman for a long time, and therefore, conducted a feasibility study. I approached the Al Raffd Fund and Riyada and got support from them to set up the centre that was established five months ago,” Dr Zadjali added.
Talking about the technology used at the centre, Dr Zadjali said that they use the latest technology for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases.
“We use the latest technology in terms of non-invasive techniques; so we have the usual echocardiography (ECG), and much more. Apart from this, we have some enzymes which are considered to be the latest for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases.”
The centre can accommodate 20 patients per day.