MULTAN, Feb 22: The Multan Institute of Cardiology (MIC) has plans to develop heart transplantation facility, besides angiography and other diagnostic services after becoming fully operational, said project director Col Dr Masood Ahmad Cheema (retired) on Wednesday.

He said Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has provided more than Rs1 billion for the 201-bed health facility. He has also sanctioned another Rs500 million for the provision of missing facilities at the institute.

“At the moment, heart transplantation facility is not available in the country while it is available in India,” he said.

Col Cheema said MIC would be the first institute in Pakistan to start this facility.

He said airconditioning of the building was underway at full pace while emergency and angiography facilities would be available from next month.

Heart specialists were being recruited at about Rs200,000 per month. Other staff was also being employed at handsome salaries.

Col Cheema said residential portion, including hostels and guesthouses, was being built for the doctors. Six state-of-the-art operation theatres were being built.

Deputy project director Dr Mushtaq Ahmad said the missing facilities to be provided with Rs500 million package approved by the chief minister included cardiac CT scan worth Rs100 million, animal house for research and preparation of tissue valves.

He said in most of the countries, these valves were taken either from buffaloes or pigs. These valves would be taken here from buffaloes only. Mechanical valves were also used, he added.

Meanwhile, the outpatient department (OPD) at the MIC has been working since August 2005 and more than 100,000 patients have benefited from the institute so far. Poor patients can avail test facilities besides getting medicines free of cost. — APP