'Signal-free corridors needed to ferry heart patients'

A signal-free corridor ought to be created to ease the movement of ambulances ferrying patients who may have suffered myocardial infarction, said Dr K S Ravindranath, vice chancellor, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS).

Speaking at the STEMI India 2016 conference, he said even though one 108 ambulance was stationed at the taluk level, it was not enough. “Transport is an important issue when it comes to heart attacks. In places with heavy traffic density such as Bengaluru, a green corridor becomes necessary for heart attack patients as well,” Dr Ravindranath added.

Meanwhile, Dr C N Manjunath, Director, Jayadeva Institute of Cardio Vascular Sciences and Research said it is important to reach out to the rural masses. This can be done through STEMI Karnataka, a non-profit organisation, which has tied up with major hospitals such as Jayadeva Hospital, Narayana Hrudayalaya and Vikram Hospitals, he said.

To begin with, a connect would be established between these hospitals and the taluks or hoblis in four zones — Bengaluru, Mysuru, Kalaburagi and Mangaluru.

Dr Manjunath said for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), commonly known as coronary angioplasty, hospitals need not do just PCI. “They can do a thrombolysis instead. It is a crime if someone is forced to undergo angioplasty just because there is no thrombolysis,” he added.

Thrombolysis is a process of dissolving clots instead of opting for surgical intervention. He also sought that RGUHS give a grant of Rs 75 lakh towards STEMI to help reach out to the masses.

The suggestions put forth by the panel of experts who took part in the conference would later be compiled and sent to the Department of Health and Family Welfare and Department of Medical Education for clearance.