Amidst rising heart attack cases in the state, the govt launches the 'Karnataka Ratna Dr Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana' initiative.
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. (South First)
Amidst rising concerns over the increasing incidence of heart attacks in the state, the Karnataka government has decided to introduce life-saving AED (Automated External Defibrillator) devices in public places.
The government has named this initiative “Karnataka Ratna Dr Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana”. T
his programme is an ambitious initiative designed to ensure prompt and effective cardiac care within the critical “golden hour” after a heart attack.
“We have witnessed a trend recently that more young people are suffering from heart attacks. According to a study, 35 percent of heart attack victims are in their 40s. Considering the current situation, I feel that it is my first duty to look into the issue and take the right steps to save our people,” said Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao.
In case of a heart attack, in order to ensure that treatment is provided on time and within the golden hour, the programme will be implemented in two ways — the installation of AED devices in public places and by adopting a hub-and-spoke model in the districts.
As part of this initiative, the government will be installing AEDs — self-powered defibrillators — in public places, including bus stands, railway stations, airports, the Vidhana Soudha, courts, etc.
Automated External Defibrillator. (Wikimedia Commons)
These AED devices will be placed in highly-crowded areas in all major cities of the state.
“We have planned to install 50 AEDs in public places across the state. A single AED device can cost up to ₹1,10,000. Procurement of these devices is in progress,” the minister told media.
The health minister stressed the programme’s noble intention to honour the late Indian actor, philanthropist, playback singer, television presenter and producer Puneeth Rajkumar, and vowed to work relentlessly to protect the state’s citizens from sudden heart ailments.
Speaking to South First, Dr Padmanabh Kamath, a renowned cardiologist who has started a unique foundation called Cardiology At Doorstep (CAD) and has donated AEDs to several districts, said, “Concurrently, we need to train people in the usage of AEDs in key areas. Places like KSRTC bus stops and railway stations are the locations we need to target,” he said.
He added that the municipal corporation office, commercial tax office, PF office, and RTO office are a few more government establishments that need focus.
He stressed that for a project to be successful, optimal utilisation of the device and monthly maintenance are key. “The government needs to do a pilot before launching it at a large scale,” he said.
The hub-and-spoke model will work effectively in preventing sudden heart attacks. “We have made a total of 85 hospitals at the district and taluk level as Spoke Centres. Ten hubs will be created in 16 super-specialty hospitals, including Jayadeva Hospital,” the minister explained.
Anyone who has symptoms of chest pain can visit any of the Spoke Centres and get an ECG done immediately. Also, through Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology via Tricog, they will be able to detect if their condition is critical or not, within just 4-5 minutes.
“If the patient is in critical condition, Tenecteplase injection will be provided free-of-cost at the Spoke Centres at taluk hospitals. This injection is very effective in preventing sudden heart attacks. This treatment will help prevent immediate heart attacks, especially in those who are in a critical stage,” the minister explained.
It may be noted that private hospitals charge ₹30,000 to ₹45,000 for one Tenecteplase injection.
After treatment at the Spoke Centres, if further treatment is needed, the patient will be sent to Super-Specialty Hub Centres with the help of an ambulance. Advanced cardiac treatments, including angiogram or angioplasty, can be obtained at these hubs.
Meanwhile, BPL card holders will get free treatment at these hub centres. APL cardholders can also access to free treatment under the Arogya Karnataka Ayushman Bharat Health Card.
As many as 45 Spoke Centres have been linked to three hubs of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research — in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kalaburagi.
Further, the government has created seven hubs, including 13 super-specialty hospitals, in collaboration with the state’s medical college hospitals and some private medical institutions.
“To ensure coverage, 40 Spoke Centers are linked, which includes 34 taluk and six district hospitals,” Gundu Rao said.
The government is set to form 10 hub-and-spoke centres in 85 taluk and district hospitals across all 31 districts of the state. The intention of the programme is to save the lives of those suffering from sudden heart attacks in the name of Puneeth Rajkumar.
Hubs: Yenepoya Hospital/KMC Manipal/Father Muller Super Specialty Hospital
Spoke Centres: Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District Hospitals, Sullia, Belthangady, Kundapura, Karkala Taluk Hospitals
Hubs: Sahyadri Narayana Hospital/SIMS Super Specialty Hospital
Spoke Centres: Sagara, Thirthahalli, Soraba, Kadur, Koppa, Tarikere Taluk Hospitals
Karnataka has 31 districts. (mapsofindia)
Hubs: Shymanuru Shivashankarappa Institute of Medical Sciences/Basaveshwara Medical College Super Specialty Hospital
Spoke Centres: Harihara, Jagalur, Haveri, Shiggaon, Challakere Taluk Hospitals and Chitradurga District Hospital
Hub: VIMS Super Specialty Hospital
Spoke Centres: Siruguppa, Kudligi, Hosapete, HB Halli Taluk Hospitals
Hubs: Narayana Heart Center/KIMS Hubbali Super Specialty Hospital
Spoke Centres: Dharward District Hospital, Kundgol, Yellapur, Haliyal, Nargund, Shirahatti Taluk Hospitals
Hub: S Nijalingappa Medical College Super Specialty Hospital
Spoke Centres: Bagalkot District Hospital, Mudhol, Hungund, Yelburga, Kushtagi Taluk Hospitals
Hub: KLE Prabhakar Kore Super Specialty Hospital
Spoke Centres: Bailhongal, Savadati, Ramdurga, Gokak, Nippani, Hukkeri, Khanapur Taluk Hospitals
Hub: Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, Bengaluru
Spoke Centres: Ramanagar, Chikkabalapura, Tumakuru, Kolar District Hospitals. Devanahalli, Doddaballapura, Nelamangala, Kanakapura, Magadi Taluk Hospitals. Chintamani, Koratagere, Sira, Madhugiri, Mallur, Srinivaspura Government Hospitals
Hubs: Jayadeva Hospital, Mysuru Super Specialty Hospital
Spoke Centres: Mandya, Hassan, Madikeri, Chamarajanagar District Hospitals. KR Nagar, Hunsur, Periyapatna, HD Kote, Nanjanagudu, T Narsipura Taluk Hospitals. Channarayapatna, SR Patna, KR Pete, Pandavapura, Holenarsipura Government Hospitals
Hubs: Jayadeva Hospital, Kalaburagi Super Specialty Hospital.
Spoke Centres: Bidar, Yadgir District Hospitals. Aland, Afzalpur, Jevargi, Sedam, Chittapur, Chuncholi, Sindagi, Humnabad, Balki, Basava Kalyan, Sholapur, Shahpur, Devadurga Taluk Hospitals
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