Karnataka: Doctors want every PHC to have an ECG machine

MANGALURU: While the state government is considering an overhaul of its Primary Health Care (PHC) centers, doctors want health minister Dr K Sudhakar to provide ECG machines to every PHC.
Dr Padmanabh Kamath, professor, and HOD cardiology, KMC, Mangaluru, told TOI, “The government has listed out various measures to strengthen PHCs, but there is an urgent need for installation of ECG machines at PHCs.Through the Cardiology at Doorsteps (CAD), a WhatsApp group launched in February 2018, we have been able to help patients in rural and remote areas.”
“With ECGs at the rural health centres, before patients reach a clinic/hospital, their reports will be handed over to the cardiologist. We have installed 320 machines so far in 23 districts and have read over 60,000 reports and saved numerous lives,” he said, urging the government to install ECG machines at all PHCs where there is a full-time doctor, and incorporate it under tele-medicine supervision solutions and offer thrombolytic therapy and training to grassroots level doctors.
On January 1, a 46-year-old man from a remote village in Bhagamandala suffered a heart attack. After an ECG at the PHC, he was rushed to Mangaluru in three hours. CAD has donated six ECG machines to Kodagu district.
Dr Ponnamma BN from Bhagamandala PHC said the ECG machine has saved at least eight lives in the last two years. “In remote places located in hilly terrain, an ECG machine is crucial because we can at least start immediate medication and ensure that the patient reaches the hospital for treatment,” she said.
Kodagu depends on Mangaluru or Mysuru and bordering Kerala districts on some occasions for advanced medical treatment.
Maj Dr Kushvanth Kolibailu, paediatrician from Kodagu said, “ECG in PHCs of rural areas is important because heart attack is no more the disease of the rich. There is a huge population going through lifestyle disorders. Decades ago, a sedentary lifestyle was associated with the elite class, however, today a lot of people suffer from diabetes and hypertension in rural India and we are seeing youngsters suffering from heart attacks. In a case of heart attack or stroke, time is important and this is where ECG will play a role in early recognition of heart attack at PHC. If the patient is evacuated in time, life can be saved.”