PARTNERS Interventional Centre of Jamaica (PICJ) two Thursdays ago marked its first anniversary with an intimate dinner at Courtyard the Marriott.

Doctors and partners alike took an evening off to acknowledge the growth and successes of the heart health care centre in its first year of operation.

According to a statement to the press, the cardiovascular centre, located in Kingston at a private hospital, Medical Associates Hospital, had a standout year with approximately 2,000 consultations and diagnostic procedures completed, which have assisted Jamaicans in living richer lives.

“When we opened the doors of Jamaica’s first fully functional cardiovascular centre located in a private hospital, it was with the goal that we would provide first-rate medical services that positively impacted the lives of our patients and our partners. It pleases me to say that we still continuously strive to meet that goal and it has resulted in a culture and environment at our centre that is deeply committed to meeting needs of those we care for,” Dr Victor Elliott, managing director, Partners Interventional Centre of Jamaica, is quoted in the release.

Having a fully functional catheterisation laboratory, the lives of more than 400 Jamaicans have been saved or improved, owing to procedures done in that lab at PICJ, the release said.

Also, according to the release, PICJ holds one of the quickest times-to-treatment records in the entire region for patients suffering cardiac incidents.

“This incredible feat is largely due to the commitment of the experienced doctors at PICJ to remain innovative through continuous training and development to ensure that everyone is skilled and informed on the latest technology and industry best practices,” the release said.

“Our latest innovative adoption is the Mycarelink from Medtronic that allows patients with pacemakers to send us data about their pacemakers using their smartphones. This has made the world of a difference because now we don’t need to wait until the patient realises something is wrong. We have to stay on top of the situation every step of the way,” added Elliott.

Medtronic is just one of the partners with which PICJ collaborates to provide the best care for its patients, the release said. Through partnership with other cardiologists, PICJ now offers Electrophisiology Studies and Pacemaker Insertions. Also, through its partnership with Medical Associates Hospital, all patients benefit from 24-hour emergency services for chest pains and heart attacks.

With one year under its belt, the dedicated doctors at PICJ have even more in store for Jamaicans in their next year of operation, the release said. One such plan is to continue championing the heightened awareness of heart disease and prevention practices. The centre participated in two major campaigns in 2018 to spread awareness of heart health and to remind Jamaicans to visit a doctor at the first sign of chest pain. This is of utmost importance to the team who is committed to remaining Jamaica’s partners for life, the release said.