KUALA LUMPUR: The National Heart Institute's (IJN) Paediatric Congenital Heart Centre (PCHC), which is under construction, is expected to be fully completed by 2015.

IJN deputy chief executive officer Datuk Dr Mohd Azhari Yakub said the centre, which was being built besides the IJN building, was set to be the biggest paediatric centre in Asia.

"The centre will simultaneously become the main pulse of IJN to emerge as a global excellence centre in cardiovascular and thoracic disease," he told reporters after the launching of the centre by Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali here Friday.

Also present during the ceremony were IJN chairman Tan Sri Datuk Dr Taha Mohd Ariff, PCHC head Dr Hasri Samion and Maybank Islam Berhad chairman (MIB) Datuk Seri Ismail Shahudin.

Dr Mohd Azhari said, currently, the centre was operating temporarily at the IJN children's ward, which was upgraded by increasing the beds from 30 to 52 and increasing the consultation rooms to 10 from six and a non-invasive laboratory for diagnostic procedure.

"Other than that, three dedicated paediatrics operating rooms were also renovated and upgraded and expected to be operational in December," he said.

MIB also handed a donation of RM50,000, which was part of the RM1.5mil contributed by the financial institution to finance the purchase of equipment at the centre, including a reading room and for treatment of paediatric patients. - Bernama

• Alliance Research 'Neutral' on IOI Corp, ups TP to RM5.41
• Petronas Chemicals to decide on Gebeng plant by year-end
• Petronas stocks, KLK drag KLCI into the red
• KPJ Healthcare Q1 earnings down 24.7% to RM25m
• Boustead Q1 earnings down 30.9% on weaker CPO prices
• More dividends from Pacific & Orient
• CIMB, Tenaga up as KLCI again eyes 1,800 (Update)
• Bumi Armada advances to high of RM4.14 on firmer earnings
• Samchem eyes Vietnam, to contribute 30% of group revenue
• BOJ keeps policy on hold; Kiuchi proposes looser price target timeframe
• Suria Capital, SBC Corp in RM1.8b Sabah JV
• CIMB advances in early trade, Dayang in focus
• RHB Research downgrades Dayang Enterprise to Neutral
• Alliance Research ups CIMB Group’s target price to RM9.64
• JF Apex Research ups Bumi Armada FV to RM4.27

• Rinehart loses $7 bn but still Australia's richest
• Syria opposition urges rebels to join Qusayr battle
• US experts reject murder theory in scientist's death
• Polish mine launches salt photo contest
• Thunder star Durant pledges $1mil for tornado relief
• Amazon plans greenhouse-style headquarters

• Injured Murray withdraws from French Open
• Ramy wins fiery battle of words and deeds
• Low Wee Wern fails to clear opening round again in British Open
• Teenager Addeen gets massive boost Down Under
• Hosts Malaysia make a tame exit at the hands of Germany
• Denmark not prepared to take on mighty China just yet
• Japanese upset Danes and Joo-bong is all smiles
• Dane loves to unwind with her Modern Family
• Tommy not afraid to play for country despite loss
• It’s the last $traw thanks to the BWF
• BAM: There will be no more sweeping under the carpet
• Cyclists give the thumbs up to world-class velodrome
• Australian Evans says Giro dream still alive
• Savinder Kaur is new middle distance queen after 1,500m victory
• Elena walks her way to a new record

• Please wait.

• Sarawak leaders triple their salaries
• HR manager laments declining standard of English
• Loan sharks making life hell for retiree
• Leave troubles behind with irresistible AirAsia deals
• EPF invests more abroad, investment assets exceed half-a-trillion ringgit
• Samchem eyes Vietnam, to contribute 30% of group revenue
• State minister wants teen’s marriage to 40-year-old nullified
• Sarawak DUN, Cabinet members to get 300% raise in monthly remuneration
• Suria Capital, SBC Corp in RM1.8b Sabah JV
• Green Packet ready to sell some assets