Amid rising incidences of cardiac arrest, particularly among the youth, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao announced the launch of the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana. This initiative aims to provide swift treatment to individuals experiencing sudden heart attacks, stated a PTI report. 

Named in memory of renowned Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar, who tragically passed away from a heart attack on October 29, 2021, at the age of 46, the program focuses on offering immediate medical assistance during the “golden hour.” This crucial period is vital for saving the lives of those suffering cardiac arrests, the report added.

According to the report, the Health Minister expressed concern about the increasing prevalence of heart attacks among young people, noting that studies indicate that 35&#37 of heart attack victims are in their 40s. Recognizing the importance of treating heart attack patients within the golden hour, Minister Rao emphasized the government`s responsibility to provide timely aid to the general public.

The program operates through two key strategies: the “Hub and spoke” model and the deployment of automated external defibrillator (AED) devices in public places. The “Hub and spoke” model, designed as a distribution network resembling a bicycle wheel, has proven effective in preventing sudden cardiac arrests.

To ensure accessibility, the government designates 85 district and Taluk hospitals as “spoke” centres. Simultaneously, ten “hub” centres have been established across 16 super-speciality hospitals, including the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. Patients experiencing chest pain can visit “spoke” centres for immediate electrocardiogram (ECG) assessment. Advanced AI technology enables the detection of critical conditions within four to five minutes.

Critical patients receive Tenecteplase injections at “spoke” centres, which are highly effective in preventing sudden cardiac arrests. The government has committed to providing these injections free of charge in government hospitals, offering a substantial cost-saving compared to private hospitals, where the injections typically cost between Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 45,000.

Following treatment at “spoke” centres, patients are transferred to “hub” centres within super-speciality hospitals for further care, including angiogram or angioplasty if necessary. Under the program, individuals with Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards receive free treatment in super-speciality hospital hubs, while those with Above Poverty Line (APL) cards can access free treatment using the Arogya Karnataka Ayushman Bharat Health Card.

The Health Department has connected 45 “spoke” centres with three Jayadeva Cardiology Institute hubs in Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kalaburagi Hospitals. Additionally, seven hubs have been established in collaboration with government medical college hospitals and some private medical institutions, connecting with 40 “spoke” centres, including 34 Taluk and six district hospitals.

The comprehensive program aims to create 10 “hub” and “spoke” centres across 85 Taluk and district hospitals throughout the state, with the ultimate goal of saving lives during sudden heart attacks.

To further enhance accessibility to life-saving interventions, self-powered Automated External Defibrillator (AED) devices will be installed in public places, such as bus stands, railway stations, airports, Vidhana Soudha, and courts. The government plans to deploy 50 AED devices in high-traffic public areas across the state, including major cities.

These AED devices, each estimated to cost up to Rs. 1.10 lakh, are in the procurement process, according to Minister Rao.

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