Karnataka forms expert panel to probe heart attack deaths in Hassan
The panel will be headed by Dr Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. The decision follows reports of 21 heart attack-related deaths in the district over the last 40 days.
'In the past month, the government has taken very seriously the matter of over twenty people succumbing to heart attacks in Hassan district alone. To identify the exact cause of these series of deaths and find remedial measures, a committee of experts has been formed under the leadership of Dr. Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, and has been instructed to submit a study report within 10 days,' Siddaramaiah wrote in a post on X.
https://x.com/CMofKarnataka/status/1939995792011665542
The Chief Minister also raised questions about a potential link to the COVID vaccine and criticised the Centre for allegedly rushing its approval and distribution.
'What are the reasons for the sudden deaths of young people and youth in the state? Could there be any side effects of the COVID vaccine? A comprehensive study was ordered in February itself for this committee to investigate. In this regard, the examination and analysis of heart patients are also in progress,' he wrote.
Siddaramaiah added that global studies have flagged a link between the vaccine and rising cardiac arrest cases.
'It cannot be ruled out that the hasty approval and distribution of the corona vaccine might be a reason for these deaths, as many global studies have recently pointed out that COVID vaccines are linked to the increasing cases of cardiac arrest. BJP leaders should introspect before criticising us on this matter,' he stated.
He also condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly politicising the deaths.
'The lives of innocent children and youth who should live long, and the concerns of their families, matter to us too. I condemn the actions of BJP leaders who are using such issues for their political gains,' the post read.
Reaffirming the government's commitment to public health, Siddaramaiah pointed to the launch of schemes like Hrudaya Jyoti and Gruha Arogya.
'We are fully committed to identifying the real reasons behind the sudden series of deaths occurring in the state, including Hassan district, and preventing them. With this objective, schemes like Hrudaya Jyoti and Gruha Arogya have already been implemented, and public health is being closely monitored,' he said.
The Dr Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana provides emergency treatment for cardiac cases and is named after the late actor who died of a heart attack at 46.
The Gruha Arogya scheme offers free door-to-door screening for more than 14 non-communicable diseases, aiming to strengthen preventive healthcare across the state. (ANI)
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
It's wrong to blame Covid jabs for cardiac arrests: Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
Bengaluru: Days after chief minister Siddaramaiah blamed Covid-19 vaccines for the alarming rise in cardiac arrest cases among youngsters in the recent weeks, especially in Hassan district, Biocon chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said Thursday his comments were "factually incorrect" and would contribute to "public misinformation". With close to 25 deaths due to cardiac arrests in Hassan alone in the last 40 days, Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday the "hasty approval and distribution of Covid vaccines" could also be a reason for the fatalities. Mazumdar-Shaw, however, wrote on X: "Covid-19 vaccines developed in India were approved under the emergency use authorisation framework, following rigorous protocols aligned with the global standards for safety and efficacy." You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Responding to the CM's comment, she said, "To suggest that these vaccines were hastily approved is factually incorrect and contributes to public misinformation." Mazumdar-Shaw added, "These vaccines have saved millions of lives and, like all vaccines, may cause side effects in a very small number of individuals. It is important to acknowledge the science and data-driven processes behind their development, rather than engage in retrospective blame." As the cardiac arrest-linked casualties in Hassan district snowballed into a major controversy, the CM commented, "The state govt has taken the matter seriously and an expert committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of Dr Ravindranath, director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, to ascertain the exact cause of these deaths and to find solutions. The committee has been instructed to submit a report within 10 days. " The same committee in Feb 2025 was also tasked with conducting a thorough study on reasons behind sudden deaths of youngsters in Karnataka and exploring whether these fatalities were triggered by the Covid vaccines. Mazumdar-Shaw commented, "Heart attacks being linked to Covid vaccines even after four years does not stack up. There are many other reasons, including performance-enhancing drugs, excessive exercise routines, etc. "
Time of India
3 hours ago
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NDTV
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