Indian Newslink 15th April 2018 Digital Edition

APRIL 15, 2018
08 Fijilink
Timely intervention saves scores of heart patients in Fiji
Venkat Raman
venkat@indiannewslink.co.nz
MK Misabout 45 years
old. Two months ago,
he suffered a minor
heart attack.
At Heart International in Nadi
(located at 12 Commercial Street),
he underwent Echocardiogram
and stress test which suggested at
least two blockages in his heart.
M K M wanted “angiogram with
one stent” or “slightly cheaper
stents if available.”
In his best interest, Dr Seif E-Jack
and his team at the Clinic politely
advised against inferior treatment.
He was treated with tablets.
Two months later, he returned,
having secured funding for the
procedure.
He received three stents at a
fraction of the cost of the same
treatment in New Zealand.
No compromises
R K P had multiple narrowing
of heart and has been diabetic for
some time.
The best treatment in his case
was open-heart surgery which is
not available in Fiji.
He was insistent on having “one
or two stents instead” since he
could not afford overseas travel.
Heart International specialists
advised him against ‘short-cut operation’
and are currently treating
him with medication until he is
able to secure funds for open-heart
surgery overseas.
There are thousands of people-
Dr Seif El-Jack (Picture Supplied)
State-of-the-art equipment at Heart International Fiji
(Pictures from www.heartinternational.co.nz)
men and women, boys and girls
– in Fiji with a heart condition. But
their financial condition is so poor
that they cannot even dream of
traveling to New Zealand where
an angiogram and angioplasty
procedure with a single stent can
cost up to NZ$35,000.
Yet they cannot and should not
be allowed to die.
Hearty doctors
There are kind-hearted cardiologists,
surgeons and specialists
in New Zealand who travel once
or twice a year to perform pro
bono medical work but there is
a need for well-trained medical
practitioners and well-equipped
hospitals and clinics in Fiji.
Heart International fulfils that
need to an extent with Auckland-based
Dr El-Jack, an experienced
Interventional Cardiologist
and his team at Heart International
in Auckland’s Greenlane. A few
months ago, they established a
similar but smaller facility in Nadi.
Dr El-Jack travels to Fiji every
Friday evening, conducts angiogram
and angioplasty procedures
on weekends and returns to
Auckland on Sunday.
“A normal angioplasty requiring
one stent would cost F$ 12,000
(about NZ$ 8100). We have capped
the cost of multiple stents to a total
of F$ 15,000 (about NZ$ 10,100),”
he said.
Quality Care
Dr El-Jack said that the focus at
his Clinic is delivery of single-tier
quality care, equivalent to what patients
receive at a private hospital
in New Zealand. “There cannot be
Budget packages in Healthcare. At
Heart International, we offer full
medical alternatives, not cheaper
procedures using inferior products.
Every patient is on priority at
our Clinic and care and service
delivery are paramount,” he said.
Lucky young man
Dr El-Jack cited the example of L
M T, a young (about 35 years old)
man who suffered heart attack
at a local hospital. Visiting Heart
International, he told the staff that
he would sort out the finances in a
couple of weeks.
He was treated in less than 24
hours – a blocked vessel from the
previous heart attack, and two
other vessels critically narrowed.
“L M T received three stents.
This is one of the few times when
stents not only improve symptoms
but literally save lives. Another
heart attack which was eminent
in his case would have been fatal.
This patient settled his financials
within four weeks of his treatment
and was very appreciative. We
were very pleased with his clinical
outcome. Money is not everything,”
Dr El-Jack said.
Finance Ok but flight risk
Financial affordability is not the
only factor that determines the
ability to go overseas.
There are patients whose medical
condition would make them a
‘flight risk.’
Heart International in
Nadi recently treated a 50-year-old
woman, who was in pain, having
suffered heart attack.
She was fully insured and hence
finance was not an issue.
She could not travel overseas.
Her complex medical condition
was worrying.
She received stents for very
critical narrowing and went home
the same day.
“The service that Heart International
provides in Fiji is aimed at
enhancing healthcare for people
with not many choices. Some of
them do not have the financial
means, some are not insured or
perhaps not insurable and cannot
travel abroad. All these factors,
rather risks, are addressed at our
Clinic in Nadi. International expertise
is now available in Fiji. We
will continue to serve the people of
Fiji, simultaneously training local
practitioners so that someday Fiji
has its own medical expertise for
patients with a heart condition,”
Dr El-Jack said.
Dr Parmjeet Parmar
National List MP based inMtRoskill
My office hasmoved to
68 Stoddard Road
If you require any
assistance Iand my
staff arealways happy
and ready to provide
advice and support.
Bringing NewZealand HeartSpecialists to Fiji
● Specialist Consultations ● Exercise Treadmill Test
● Echocardiography (Echo) ● Angiography
● Electrocardiogram (ECG) ● Angioplasty (Stenting)
Please get in touch at
parmjeet.parmar@
parliament.govt. .nz
or on 09 62067077
to make an
appointment
Funded by Parliamentary
Service. Authorised by
ParmjeetParmar, Parliament
Buildings, Wellington.
12 Commercial Street, Namaka, Nadi