A heartwarming initiative in Karnataka, the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi scheme, has already breathed new life into 7,815 patients suffering from severe heart conditions. Thanks to the quick thinking and expertise of doctors in local hospitals, an impressive 1,106 lives were saved by administering the crucial Tenecteplase injection since the program’s launch in March 2023.
In a significant announcement coinciding with World Heart Day on September 29, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao revealed plans to expand this vital scheme to all taluk (sub-district) hospitals across the state. Currently, the program operates through a ‘hub and spoke’ model, with 86 district and taluk hospitals serving as ‘spoke’ centers, connected to ten ‘hubs’ located in 16 super-specialty hospitals, including the renowned Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research.
AI Revolutionizing Cardiac Diagnosis
The scheme leverages cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology to swiftly categorize patients as severe or moderate, enabling doctors to rapidly assess critical conditions and administer the Tenecteplase injection when needed. Raghunandan, State Deputy Director (Non-Communicable Diseases), emphasized that this injection is a powerful tool for treating heart attacks (myocardial infarctions) as quickly as possible, ideally within nine hours of symptom onset.
Officially named the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi scheme in 2023, this Karnataka Health Department project aims to eliminate delays in diagnosing and treating heart attack patients, especially in rural areas, through its efficient ‘hub and spoke’ network.
Millions of Lives Touched: The Impact of Early ECGs
Since its inception in March 2023, the program has conducted a staggering 9,21,020 electrocardiograms (ECGs). Out of these, 13,515 cases of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), a severe type of heart attack, were identified. A total of 7,815 patients with critical cardiac complications have received life-saving treatments, including thrombolysis, angioplasty, stenting, and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) procedures, Dr. Raghunandan proudly stated.
Minister Rao highlighted the ease of access for citizens: ‘Anyone experiencing symptoms of chest pain can walk into one of our ‘spoke’ centers and get an ECG done immediately. The AI technology allows doctors to determine the severity of their condition within just four to five minutes. If critical, the patient receives the expensive Tenecteplase injection completely free of charge.’
Acknowledging the growing challenge of cardiovascular diseases, Minister Rao concluded, ‘Heart attack incidents are on the rise across the state, making them a significant public health concern. The Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi scheme is our flagship initiative, meticulously designed to enhance timely cardiac care and save precious lives. It is playing an indispensable role in drastically reducing cardiac mortality and preserving thousands of futures.’