KARACHI, Oct 24: Reciprocating the recent Indian gesture to provide free medical treatment to 20 Pakistani children, the National Institute of Cardio-Vascular Diseases (NICVD), Karachi, has offered to undertake coronary angiography and bypass surgery on 20 poor Indian patients without any charge.

In a press statement released on Friday, NICVD said the procedures would be performed within the next 12 months. “Pakistani cardiologists wish to share the benefits of their long experience in this field with deserving Indian heart patients who may not be able to afford such treatment in India,” said the statement.

Talking to Dawn, NICVD Executive Director Prof Azhar Masood A. Faruqui said that coronary angiography and bypass surgery were being performed routinely at his institute since 1978, earlier than in India. “Before this year we used to do these procedures occasionally.”

In response to a question, Prof Faruqui said 2,000 heart surgeries were undertaken annually at the NICVD.

“Of this number, 1,000 are bypass surgeries. And every year about 5,000 angiographies are performed.

“We undertake thousands of procedures every year and 20 additional patients will not be a problem at all.” Asked about the provision of funds, he said many philanthropists and donors had expressed their willingness to help the NICVD in this regard.