Copyright thehindu
The ‘Hridaya Vaishalya Yojane’, launched in 2023, continues to make significant strides in improving rural healthcare in Mandya district. The initiative, conceptualised by Deputy Commissioner Kumar, was introduced to address the challenges faced by rural communities, where people often neglect their health and seek medical help only when conditions become severe. Earlier, villagers suffering from heart-related ailments had to travel to urban centres for diagnostic tests and treatment due to the absence of adequate medical facilities in their localities. Recognising that delayed diagnosis of cardiac issues can be life-threatening, Mr. Kumar, after consultations with cardiologists, designed a framework for the scheme. To facilitate early detection of cardiac problems, the district administration, in collaboration with the CAD organisation, decided to equip Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in rural areas with Electrocardiogram (ECG) machines. In the first phase, 35 PHCs across all taluks of the district received ECG machines through a district-level programme. “The initiative proved to be effective, with over 25,000 patients screened during the past one-and-a-half years. Many of them benefitted from timely treatment made possible through early detection,” according to the district administration. Encouraged by the success of the first phase, the second phase of the ‘Hridaya Vaishalya Yojane’ was launched on Monday in the presence of Minister in charge of Mandya district N. Cheluvarayaswamy. Mr. Kumar was also present. As part of this phase, 14 advanced ECG machines were distributed to major Community Health Centres (CHCs) across the district. The key objective of the initiative is to ensure that no citizen of the district is deprived of essential healthcare, especially timely cardiac care, the release added.
