Invasive Cardiology Lab To Be Built At HRPZII - Minister

KOTA BAHARU (Kelantan, Malaysia), July 23 (Bernama) -- The Health Ministry has approved the building of an invasive cardiology laboratory at Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZII) with an allocatioon of over RM10 million (US$3.1 million) for the purpose. Health Minister Dr S. Subramaniam said the laboratory, to be built soon and expected to be ready by the middle of next year, would conduct research on heart cases encompassing the examination of patients, investigation and surgery. "Currently, for investigation, heart patients are sent to the Universiti Sains Malaysia Hospital in Kubang Kerian, here, as the facility is not available at HRPZII," he said after visiting HRPZII, Tuesday. Dr Subramaniam said HRPZII performed surgery on 100 heart patients each year, and with the building of the invasive cardiology lab, the waiting period for patients to have surgery could be reduced from one year to six or eight months. He also approved the purchase of a fluoroscopy machine worth RM1.5 million (US$472,094) for the hospital for scanning of patients' internal organs like the intestines and arteries. The minister said the ministry also had plans to replace the old wards with new buildings in stages to provide more comfort for the hospital's patients and staff. Asked on the decision of the Muzakarah (Conference) of the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Islamic Religious Affairs to declare smoking shisha as haram for Muslims, Dr Subramaniam said his ministry through a special committee was gathering information on shisha from the medical and health aspects. "Perhaps in three or four weeks' time, they will be tabling their findings to me. After that, we will decide on the action to be taken," he said. On July 19, the Fatwa Committee chairman, Prof. Emeritus Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said Muslims were prohibited from smoking shisha or providing the service, or holding any activity related to shisha. -- BERNAMA