An ambitious plan to reduce heart diseases in the GCC by up to 25 per cent within the next 15 years and encourage scientific research was yesterday approved.

Twelve recommendations were endorsed on the last day of the 11th Gulf Heart Association Conference and the fourth Bahrain Heart Association Congress, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

The forums were held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Cutting-edge electrocardiogram (ECG) technologies were discussed at the conferences, the biggest forum of cardiologists in the world. Lecturers said ECG transmission by mobile phone could save lives and speed up treatment for heart attacks.

A high-level delegation also visited Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) and was updated on equipment and treatment procedures.

The delegation included American Heart Association chairman Professor John Harold, former American College of Cardiology president Prof William Zagheb, and SMC consultant cardiologists Dr Anwar Jamsheer and Dr Saed Al Saed.

They visited wards 207 and 208 and gave their opinion regarding the treatment of certain acute cases.

The competence of the cardiovascular medical staff and the efforts of the government to promote health services in Bahrain were hailed.-TradeArabia News Service