RIYADH, 28 February 2004 — Saudi Arabia will have the first prosthetic heart implant unit at King Abdul Aziz Medical City, according to Dr. Hani Najm, head of the cardiac department.
He said the unit was set up at the instruction of Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard.
Najm said prosthetic hearts, which cost SR2 million each, will help patients with weak heart muscles who cannot be treated by traditional means.
“The establishment of the unit means new hope for patients suffering from chronic heart diseases in this country,” he said, adding that it would the first such unit in the region.
