Ustaz Kazim stable after second angiogram - Brother

Religious scholar Datuk Ustaz Mohd Kazim Elias is now in stable condition at the KPJ Specialist Hospital's Intensive Care Unit here, after undergoing a second angiogram yesterday.

According to his brother, Datuk Mohd Najmuddin Elias the procedure was conducted at 5pm upon advice from specialists in the hospital after Mohd Kazim's condition deteriorated.

"The procedure was over in less than an hour. He is still very weak in the ICU and is expected to be transferred to a normal ward tomorrow," he told reporters at the hospital today.

Mohd Kazim was admitted to Hospital Sains Malaysia (HUSM) after complaining of fatigue and chest pains while giving a talk at the compound of Sri Gunong Farmers' Organisation building in Bator, Bachok, at 9.30pm on Friday.

He said the angiogram was necessary because it was discovered that Mohd Kazim had a 99 per cent blockage and another 50 per cent blockage in two arteries.

"At first, as head of the family, I was against the procedure as Ustaz Kazim was still critical after undergoing the first angiogram in Kubang Kerian.

"Doctors at the HUSM hospital said a second angiogram can be performed after six weeks, but looking at his condition the doctors recommended that it was best that the procedure performed immediately," he said.

Mohd Najmuddin appealed to those who knew Mohd Kazim to refrain from visiting him for the time being to allow him to recuperate.

"Doctors have advised Ustaz Kazim against reading newspapers as it could affect his health, so he should not be disturbed, he said adding that the recovery period would take some time.

He added that Mohd Kazim's heart problem was related to his diabetic condition.

He was supposed to go for a medical checkup recently but it coincided with his talk in Sabah so he skipped the medical appointment even though he was already having the symptoms, he added.