K'taka launches Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana for cardiac care

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: In view of the rise in cardiac arrest related cases, especially among the youth, Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Tuesday announced launch of Dr Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana aimed at providing treatment to people suffering sudden heart attacks.

Named after famous Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar, who died of a heart attack on October 29, 2021 at the age of 46, the programme aims to treat patients within the 'golden hour', the period which is crucial to save people who suffer a cardiac arrest.

"We are introducing Karnataka Ratna Dr Puneeth Rajkumar Hriday Jyoti Yojana in the name of Puneeth Rajkumar. The programme has been implemented in two ways. Hub and spoke model and installation of automated external defibrillator (AED) devices in public places," Rao told reporters.

Recently, it has been noticed that young people are suffering heart attacks, the minister said, adding it is a worrying fact and according to a study, 35 per cent of those who suffer heart attacks were in their 40s.

Noting that it is very important to treat heart attack patients within the golden hour, Rao said he felt that it was his first duty as the Health Minister to rush to the aid of common people.

"In cases of cardiac arrest, as many lives as possible should be saved. Again within the golden hour, they should be treated on time. Our health department has taken a significant step in this regard," the Minister explained.

Explaining, he said the programme has been implemented in two ways – Hub and spoke model and installation of automated external defibrillator (AED) devices in public places.

The Minister said the government is making 85 district and Taluk hospitals as 'spoke' centres. Ten hubs have been created in a total of 16 super-specialty hospitals including Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research.