Heart doctor recognised for top care
A heart specialist at an Essex hospital has been recognised for his research and innovations helping patients with heart conditions.
Jason Dungu, a Consultant Cardiologist and the Lead for Cardiology at the world-renowned Essex Cardiothoracic Centre (CTC) at Basildon Hospital, received the prestigious recognition at the Black Healthcare Awards.
A veteran in heart care who has been at the CTC for over nine years, Jason has carried out extensive research in areas such as amyloidosis, a condition known to affect black people where protein builds up in the heart leading to heart failure.
He helped to introduce a new drug to patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - a condition which thickens the muscle tissues of the heart - to help reduce the pressure inside of the heart and improve patients’ symptoms.
Another achievement included launching a specialised clinic for patients with inherited heart conditions, one of a few in the country which serves hundreds of patients across mid and south Essex.
Jason said: "It was a lovely surprise to see that I’d won this award. I think it’s so important to celebrate the work of staff in ethnic minority groups who can sometimes go unrecognised. I’ve put in a lot of time and effort into my research and making a difference for my patients is my main drive and focus."