Gordon Brown hails work of Sir Magdi Yacoub

Gordon Brown this morning unveiled a statue dedicated to Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub, who has been honoured for his work in the field of heart regeneration.

The Prime Minister said: “Sir Magdi is one of the best contributers to British science and medicine we have ever seen.

“Where ever I go in the world, Sir Magdi is a hero for the work he has done there. What he has done for medical science is something people are very proud of.

“This statue sends out a message of hope not just to this country but to the whole of the world.”

The bronze statue, of mythological character Prometheus, has been installed outside the Heart Science Centre at Harefield Hospital, where Sir Magdi developed a groundbreaking technique to help ailing hearts recover and regenerate using an artificial heart.

A group of Greek hospitals and doctors have donated the statue to the hospital in recognition of the work they have been doing with Sir Magdi and his team of specialists from around the world.

Stergios Theodoropoulos, a specialist who trained with Sir Magdi 25 years ago, said: “The statue is in recognition of the outstanding contribution to clinical practice and the advancement of science worldwide.

“It will act as a reminder to anyone passing of Sir Magdi's work and the symbol of Prometheus.”

The Prime Minister, joined by Health Minister Ann Keen MP, toured the heart science centre and saw some of the groundbreaking work in stem cell research and heart recovery being done there.

Councillor Ray Puddifoot, leader of Hillingdon Council and chief executive of the heart science centre, said: “It is remarkable and amazing that you would be able to recover a failing heart.

“Something Sir Magdi insists is whatever we do is for the benefit of patients worldwide, and we share expertise with people.”

The heart centre has already set up numerous research facilities across the globe and is always looking to pass on its knowledge to more countries.