Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology successfully conducted seven open heart operations during the first two days after its inauguration by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
A team of eminent heart specialists comprising Professor Jawad Sajid (PIC) Lahore, Professor Adul Waheed, Asstt. Professor Zulfiqar and Associate Professor Dr Shahbaz Ahmed successfully conducted open heart surgeries of Adnan (12) Hamza (5) and Rizwan (18) on Monday, and four operations were conducted on Tuesday under close supervision of Project Director Dr Riaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Medical Superintendent Dr Abdur Rauf.
A spokesman of the FIC said here on Tuesday that the Institute had enlisted 300 heart patients for open heart surgery, while 10 patients had already been admitted to the hospital who would be operated upon on their turn. Each operation would cost about Rs 200,000 to 300,000 because the cost for replacement of a heart valve would be around Rs 150,000 and replacement of two valves would entail expenditure of Rs 250,000.
While the cost for open heart surgery (disposable) would be about Rs 100,000. He said open heart operations would be free for the poor and deserving patients, while those willing to pay the cost shall be charged accordingly.
The spokesman further said the entire cost of first 10 open heart operations would be borne by the Punjab Chief Minister from his own pocket, while the cost for five operations shall be paid by Khawaja Asim Khurshid, Chairman, FIC Board of Directors.
Regarding the cost of Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology, the spokesman said an amount of Rs 776.247 million was spent on buildings, while Rs 929.580 million were utilised for raising other infra-structure. The FCI, he added, had 202 beds and three operation theatres and an ICU, which were fully equipped with the latest apparatus and machinery.