KOTA SAMARAHAN, Jan 1 (Bernama) -- The new Sarawak General Hospital Heart Centre (SGH Heart Centre) at Kota Samarahan, which started inpatient services Saturday, will be fully operational within the next two weeks, said its Head of Cardiology Department and Clinical Research Centre, Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian.

He said the centre, about 15 km from Kuching, would start outpatient services on Monday (January 3).

"All heart patients will be transferred from the Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) in Kuching to the SGH Heart Centre here in stages. The Cardiac Unit at SGH in Kuching will be slowly closed. We expect fully transfer by January 15.

"With the latest facilities, we can do so much more by giving the best services to the people," he told reporters at the facility.

Earlier, Sarawak Healthy Department Director, Dr Zulkifli Jantan and hundreds of its staff gathered for a photo shoot at the soft opening of the SGH Heart Centre.

The centre's first patient, in his 50s, who suffered a heart attack four days ago, was transported to the SGH Heart Centre and registered at its ward at 1pm today.

His doctor, Dr Alan Fong, said he expected the patient to make good recovery.

"Finally, the Sarawak Cardiac Unit is running a Ferrari with a Ferrari. Previously, it was like trying to drive a Proton like a Ferrari," he said.

The RM400-million new SGH Heart Centre, has 500 staff and 60 beds. It's outpatient unit is expected to see more than 20,000 patients this year.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is scheduled to officially open the SGH Heart Centre on January 16.

Source: BERNAMA