Free cardiac treatment for underprivileged

Two underprivileged patients from each of the 198 wards in Bengaluru, who have problems related to heart will now be given free treatment, according to BBMP.

Speaking to media persons, M K Gunashekar, chairman, BBMP's Standing Committee on Tax and Finance, said that the civic body has tied up with Victoria and Jayadeva Hospitals for this facility.

The underprivileged patients, who need to undergo cardiac treatment-  Angioplasty or insertion of stent in the heart, have to approach the area corporator who will give a letter to one of these two hospitals where they will be entitled to get free treatment.

“I had suggested this scheme during the budget and an amount of Rs 4 crore was allotted. We have finalised the talks with these two hospitals,” Gunashekar said .
While Jayadeva Hospital will be given an amount of Rs 3.5 crore for this scheme, Victoria Hospital will be given an amount of Rs 50 lakh.

He also said that about 400 patients will be benefit from this scheme this year. “We have spoken to the chief medical officer also. We will start the programme as soon as the BBMP Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad issues a memorandum of understanding for these hospitals,” Gunashekar said.