Punjab: More than 5000 heart patients' lives saved...the impact of the Chief Minister's Health Scheme was visible
In the event of a heart attack, every second is precious. A delay of even a few minutes can make the difference between life and death. This battle against time is now being increasingly won in Punjab, as fast and cashless angioplasty services under the Bhagwant Mann government's Chief Minister's Health Scheme provide patients with timely access to this emergency treatment when needed.
Under the health card system, patients arriving at government and listed private hospitals are being screened and treated with expedited emergency angioplasty procedures, without delays in pre-treatment payment. This change is proving crucial in saving precious lives, especially during the golden hour—the first 60 minutes after a heart attack.
17.9 million people die every year
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 17.9 million people die each year from heart disease. A significant number of these cases are fatal if treatment is delayed. Punjab's health system is now actively addressing this challenge.
According to the state health agency, a total of 5,054 cardiac surgeries have been performed under the health plan over the past few months. These include 5,000 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures, which also include diagnostic angiograms, and 54 cases of peripheral angioplasty.
The total cost of these treatments was approximately Rs 49.6 crore, with PTCA procedures being the highest in terms of both number and total expenditure.
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said the impact of this scheme is now clearly visible. He said, "More patients are now surviving even those conditions that were previously considered near-fatal. In such a critical time, the speed of treatment provided by the health card system is proving to be a lifesaver for the state."
Cardiology departments in hospitals are rapidly adapting to new needs. Emergency protocols are being streamlined so that potential heart attack patients can be quickly diagnosed and provided with the necessary treatment without being caught up in administrative procedures.
Timely treatment through health card
Dr. Saurabh Sharma, Head and Associate Professor of Cardiology at Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, said, "The health card is helping people get timely treatment. The hesitation surrounding medical expenses has largely diminished. Previously, many families were hesitant about the cost of treatment, which led to delays in getting approval for procedures. Dr. Sharma added that with the availability of cashless services, this barrier has virtually disappeared."
This change is clearly visible in the districts as well. Previously, patients faced dangerous delays due to referrals to hospitals in larger cities. Now, with more hospitals empanelled under the scheme and better equipped, many centers are able to begin performing angioplasty without long-distance referrals.
