Latest news with #GruhaArogya
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Door-to-door health checks to be conducted for people aged above 30 yrs
Hassan: With the spike in cases of cardiac arrest in the district, the Hassan district administration will launch the Gruha Arogya scheme. The health department will now undertake door-to-door health checks for people aged above 30 years, aiming for early detection and management of non-communicable diseases (NCD) at an early stage and ensuring timely management. With several young people dying of cardiac arrest, the authorities conducted a health screening camp for nearly one lakh schoolchildren. However, the district has a total of 1.9 lakh school students, and the health screening camps were conducted as per the district minister KN Rajanna's direction, said zilla panchayat chief executive officer BR Poornima. The district administration has taken several measures and initiated an awareness drive for a healthy heart. Poornima said a walk for a healthy heart, an awareness programme, was organised last week. She urged the people to take care of their health. The officer suggested regular walking, physical exercise or yoga, and practising healthy food habits. Smoking and consuming alcohol have a severe impact on the heart, according to health professionals. Under Gruha Arogya, a survey will be conducted, and tests will be conducted. The department would distribute needed medicines and also provide other facilities, she said. Blood pressure, sugar level, thyroid hormones, haemoglobin level, and calcium will be screened during the door-to-door campaign. The authorities have trained the required staff members, the CEO added.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Sudden heart attack deaths among people under age of 45 declared notifiable in Karnataka
All sudden heart attack deaths among the young (aged below 45 years) in Karnataka will now have to be notified to the Health Department. On July 7, the Health Department declared sudden heart attack deaths among people below the age of 45 as 'notifiable' on the basis of a recommendation by the expert committee that was set up to study the link between COVID-19 vaccination and sudden cardiovascular events. The committee is headed by K. S. Ravindranath, Director the State-run Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru. Amid mounting public anxiety over the rising trend of sudden cardiovascular events (heart attack, sudden cardiac death) post-COVID-19 pandemic, the Karnataka government had in February this year set up the expert committee to evaluate the temporal and potential causal links with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or COVID-19 vaccination. The committee has not found any association between premature cardiovascular disease and a prior history of COVID-19 infection or COVID vaccination. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, who made the announcement on July 7 after a meeting to discuss the recommendations of the expert committee, said the government of Karnataka would start monitoring sudden heart attack deaths reported among those below the age of 45. 'Any such deaths that occur outside a hospital will have to be mandatorily reported to the Department. Following the committee's recommendations, we will now make the autopsy of all such deaths compulsory to ascertain the cause of death. Directions in this regard will be issued soon,' the Minister said. Pointing out that the observational study by the State's expert panel as well as several published international studies had not found any link between COVID vaccination and cardiovascular events, the Minister stated, 'In fact, COVID vaccination has been shown to be protective against cardiac events in the long term. The only complaints are with regard to mRNA vaccines that have been known to cause myocarditis in some cases. However, mRNA vaccines have not been used in our country,' he said. The Minister said, 'We will start screening of congenital heart defects in school children aged 15 and above. Training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), an emergency procedure that is done when someone's breathing or heartbeat has stopped, will be provided to the general public through NGOs and like-minded organisations. We will also start annual basic health screening for all government employees, including outsourced and contract staff,' Mr. Rao said. Pointing out that all corporate and private companies will be directed to mandatorily provide annual health screening for their employees, the Minister said, 'We are also screening people for non-communicable diseases through our 'Gruha Arogya'' scheme. We will soon discuss with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on what further health benefits can be given to our employees,' he said. He said the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Yojane - that is currently being implemented in 86 government hospitals - will soon be extended to all taluks. In 2023, the Health Department named Karnataka's heart attack (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction - STEMI) management project at taluk level as Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi scheme. The project launched to avoid delay in providing diagnosis and treatment to heart attack patients in rural areas is being implemented on a 'hub and spoke' model. AEDs in public places The Minister said the process of installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in public places, including bus stands, railway stations, airports, the Vidhana Soudha, courts, etc. will be expedited. 'Although we had announced this earlier, there were some hitches as we need trained personnel to use these devices. We will again explore possibilities of deploying trained personnel from the nearest health facilities in designated public places wherever possible and start providing this service soon,' he said. Dr Ravindranath said post-COVID there was a significant rise in the prevalence of common risk factors that lead to cardiovascular disease. 'Our study has not found any single cause behind the observed rise in sudden cardiac deaths. Rather, it appears to be a multifactorial issue, with behavioral, genetic, and environmental risks. While in the immediate post-COVID phase, there is an increase in the incidence of sudden cardiovascular events due to a pro-inflammatory state, the same cannot be held to be true in the long term (>1 year). It has been three years since the end of the pandemic,' Dr Ravindranath added.
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Siddaramaiah responds to Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw's criticism, says ‘Seeking answers is our duty, not blame'
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday responded to Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who had criticised him for his recent comments suggesting a possible link between COVID-19 vaccines and the surge in heart-related deaths in Hassan district. The Chief Minister clarified that his government's intent was not to spread misinformation but to seek clarity and safeguard public health. Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Also Read - Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw hits back at Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah for hinting COVID vaccines are behind heart attacks in Hassan Here is what Siddaramaiah said Siddaramaiah said that questioning the effects of the vaccine and investigating the cause of rising deaths was not about laying blame but fulfilling a government's duty to protect lives. 'We value every life in Karnataka — especially those of children and young people who have their whole future ahead of them. Raising questions and conducting studies is part of our responsibility, not misinformation,' he said. The exchange follows a strong statement from Mazumdar-Shaw earlier this week, in which she criticised Siddaramaiah's remarks as factually incorrect. "To suggest that these vaccines were 'hastily' approved is factually incorrect and contributes to public misinformation," she said, adding that COVID-19 vaccines had saved millions of lives globally and went through rigorous approval processes. 'It's vital to respect science and data rather than indulge in retrospective blame,' she had asserted. In his detailed rebuttal, Siddaramaiah pointed to an alarming spike in cardiac deaths in Hassan district, where over 20 people reportedly died of heart attacks in a single month. 'This is not a matter to be brushed aside. We have formed an expert committee led by Dr. C.N. Manjunath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, to study the issue and submit findings within 10 days,' the CM stated. Also Read - Wrong side driving the new norm in Bengaluru? Viral video sparks outrage over rampant traffic violations He added that the same committee was tasked back in February to investigate sudden cardiac deaths among young individuals across Karnataka, including a probe into whether COVID-19 vaccines may have played any role. The government, he said, is actively collecting patient data, studying clinical patterns, and ensuring thorough scientific analysis. Siddaramaiah also accused BJP leaders of politicizing the issue for electoral gains. 'Before criticising our efforts, the BJP should reflect on their conscience. It cannot be denied that the vaccines were rolled out under emergency approvals and questions remain globally on side effects,' he remarked, citing recent international studies that have explored potential links between vaccination and increased cardiac incidents. Underscoring the government's commitment to public health, the CM mentioned ongoing state initiatives like Hridaya Jyothi and Gruha Arogya, aimed at proactive health screening and early detection of cardiovascular issues. He also urged citizens to take symptoms seriously. 'If anyone is experiencing chest pain, breathlessness, or uneasiness, please do not ignore it. Visit the nearest health center immediately,' he advised.
India Gazette
01-07-2025
- Health
- India Gazette
Karnataka forms expert panel to probe heart attack deaths in Hassan
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 2 (ANI): In response to four heart attack deaths within 24 hours in Karnataka's Hassan district, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday announced the formation of an expert committee led by Dr Ravindranath of Jayadeva Institute to investigate the cause and submit a report within 10 days. 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. 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)
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Karnataka government will act on Hassan heart attack deaths after study: Chief minister
Bengaluru: Chief minister Siddaramaiah Tuesday said the govt would initiate strong action based on the findings of an expert committee investigating the recent surge in heart attack-related deaths in Hassan district. The panel, led by Dr Ravindranath, director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, has been directed to submit a detailed report within 10 days. "... As govt, we're making every possible effort to protect the health of people. We've already implemented schemes like Hridaya Jyothi and Gruha Arogya to monitor public health," the CM said in a post on X. Siddaramaiah said more than 20 people have died of heart attack in Hassan in just one month, prompting the urgent formation of the panel. "The govt is taking this matter very seriously. To identify the exact cause of this series of deaths and to find solutions, a committee of experts has been formed," he added. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru He urged the public not to ignore symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath and to visit the nearest health centre immediately. He also accused BJP leaders of politicising the issue. "It can't be denied that the hasty approval and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines to the public could also be a reason for these deaths, as several studies worldwide have recently indicated that Covid vaccines could be a cause of the increasing number of heart attacks. Before the BJP criticises us on this matter, they should ask their own conscience," he added. Notifiable disease? The govt on Tuesday revealed it would consider declaring cardiac arrest cases as notifiable diseases after receiving a report from the expert committee probing the Hassan deaths. Responding to repeated instances of death due to cardiac arrest among youngsters, health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the committee is already tasked with the responsibility of ascertaining the details. "The committee will submit a report within 10 days, and based on it, we will consider whether to notify cardiac cases as notifiable diseases," the health minister said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!
