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Karnataka's Heart Scheme Saves 16,000 Lives
8 Jun
Summary
- Nearly 16,000 patients with serious cardiac issues saved since March 2023.
- AI technology facilitates rapid diagnosis of severe heart attacks.
- Scheme expanded to include free life-saving injections for critical patients.
Since its launch in March 2023, Karnataka's Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti scheme has been instrumental in saving approximately 16,000 lives by providing timely cardiac care at taluk hospitals. The initiative has screened over 1.1 million individuals, identifying 18,804 cases of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), a critical type of heart attack.
Utilizing a hub-and-spoke model, the scheme aims to minimize diagnostic and treatment delays in rural areas. Artificial Intelligence-enabled technology plays a crucial role in rapid assessment, allowing doctors to quickly identify and treat patients. As of May 2024, 1,560 patients have received the expensive Tenecteplase injection free of charge.
The government plans to expand the scheme to all taluk hospitals by September 2025. This expansion includes establishing new Jayadeva satellite centers to enhance access to specialized cardiac treatment, reinforcing the state's commitment to reducing cardiac mortality amidst rising heart attack cases.
