BRIMS's Cath Lab Closure Sparks Outrage Amid Heart Attack Surge In Karnataka's Hassan
The state-of-the-art Cath Lab at Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences remains unused due to administrative issues, despite rising heart attack cases in Hassan district.
Amid rising concerns over spate of heart attacks in Hassan district, people are rushing for screening but the newly-built state-of-the-art Cath Lab at the Bidar Institute of Medical Sciences (BRIMS) is gathering dust. The closure of the Cath Lab has raised serious questions about its administration.
The high-tech lab, introduced to cater people from a poor background, has been lying unused for months. This comes amidst allegations that the BRIMS management board got influenced by private hospitals. Bidar city already has five private Cath Labs, and poor patients are struggling to afford their services.
Staff Hired For Cath Lab Demand Salary Hike
For the past seven to eight months, BRIMS has been dragging its feet on appointing specialist doctors and staff for the lab. While 10 people, including doctors and staff, were hired on a contractual basis on April 3 but reports suggest that they are reluctant to join due to the contractual nature and lower salaries. The appointed staff are demanding permanent positions and BRIMS reportedly seems to be showing indifference towards permanent appointments for cardiologists.
Locals are questioning whether BRIMS, the district administration, and elected representatives genuinely care about poor people suffering from heart-related ailments, urging them to resist private hospital influence and open the lab immediately.
Sudden Rise In Heart Attacks In Hassan Sparks Concerns
A distressing wave of heart attack has gripped Hassan district with 18 deaths reported in a one-month span between May 28 and June 29. At least five more deaths have been reported between June 30 and July 1, pointing to an alarming trend that includes younger victims.
In light of this alarming trend, a high-level meeting was called on June 30 at the Hassan District Collector's office. Presided over by the Principal Secretary to the Government, Health & Family Welfare Department, the meeting included key medical professionals such as the Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, the Hassan District Health and Family Welfare Officer, District Surgeon, Medical Superintendent, and District Surveillance Officer.
During the urgent discussions, critical directives were issued to address the crisis. A district-level committee has been mandated to investigate the factual circumstances of each reported heart attack death. Furthermore, an existing expert committee, operating under the chairmanship of the Director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, has been specifically tasked with probing sudden deaths potentially linked to Covid-19 or its vaccine side effects. This committee is expected to submit a comprehensive report within 10 days, aiming to shed light on potential contributing factors.
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