PM Barzani praises Kurdish doctor for innovating artificial heart pump

Halgurd Sherwani 2021/02/07 13:10

KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (right) during his meeting Sweden-based Dr. Azad Najar in the Kurdistan Region's Erbil, Feb. 7, 2021. (Photo: KRG)

Kurdistan Artificial Heart Pump Dr. Azad Najar Krg Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Sweden

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Sunday praised a Kurdish cardiologist for his innovation in developing an artificial heart pump.

In the meeting, held in the capital Erbil, Prime Minister Barzani “thanked and praised” Dr. Azad Najar for his innovations in the medical field, a press release from Barzani’s office noted.

Azad Najar, a Kurdish senior consultant based in Västerås, Sweden and the main founder of the medical technology company Scandinavian Real Heart, developed an artificial heart pump that generates the same oxygenation and pulses a functional heart produces in a healthy body.

In the meeting, held in the capital Erbil, Prime Minister Barzani “thanked and praised” Dr. Najar for his innovations in the medical field, a press release from Barzani’s office noted.

“It is proudful that a Kurdish doctor, through its innovations, could gain such achievements on a global scale,” premier Barzani told the Kurdish innovator during the meeting, the release noted.

Barzani wished him success in “serving humanity,” the release added.

Dr. Najar, for his part, thanked the prime minister for his support and expressed his willingness “to serve” the Kurdistan Region in whatever way possible, according to the statement.

Previously, speaking to Kurdistan24, Dr. Najar said he had developed 11 models of artificial hearts so far and that the project is ongoing, but he is waiting for permission from authorities in Sweden and the rest of Europe to test the artificial heart pump, which is called ‘Real Heart.’

The mechanical heart pump promises to generate natural oxygenation and a pulse that will also reduce the risk of blood clots, according to Najar.

The innovation has been of interest to the Swedish government, scientific and medical centers, as well as the general public. The Swedish Prime Minister and other Swedish officials visited his center to closely look at his contribution to the health sector.

Editing by Joanne Stocker-Kelly