By DALCY LULUA
DURING the commissioning of the new Catheterization Laboratory at the National Heart Centre in Port Moresby General Hospital, Kumul Petroleum Holdings Limited (KPHL) Managing Director, Wapu Sonk, emphasized the number of lives that the new Cath Lab will save.
“We should not, of course, focus on the financial cost of Kumul Petroleum and the government for these infrastructure improvements. These interventions should be measured by the number of lives that can now be saved,” he said.
“Since July 2021, when the first stenting procedure was carried out, up until earlier this year, the National Heart Centre has completed 839 coronary angiograms and performed 422 stenting procedures. This is a significant return on human investment. The National Heart Centre is now open to anyone with heart disease or related conditions, offering angiograms, angioplasty, pacemaker installations, and other specialized procedures. With the latest equipment and trained staff, these treatments can now be provided in PNG, eliminating the need for costly overseas treatment. “With the new equipment commissioned today, more cardiac patients can be treated more efficiently, including stroke reversal procedures, ultimately saving more lives.”
“Congratulations to everyone involved in elevating the heart disease treatment facilities at the National Heart Centre to its current operational and international standard.”
Head of Invasive Cardiology, Dr. Wesong Boko, also highlighted the capabilities of the new Cath Lab machine.
“We have launched one of the most cutting-edge Cath Lab machines— the same kind you find anywhere in the world, equipped with the latest technology.
“With this new machine, we can triple the number of patients we treat. We currently have about 600-800 patients on the waiting list, but with the launch, we expect an influx of patients, potentially around 1,000-2,000 per month.
“This launch is a huge milestone. Our people have struggled to access such advanced medical care, and now, we can at least provide them with the help they need here,” he said.
