Punjab expands STEMI project for heart attack patients
Health minister Dr Balbir Singh on Tuesday launched the state-wide expansion of the Punjab STEMI Project on National Doctors' Day, empowering all the district and sub-divisional hospitals across the state to give thrombolysis treatment by administering a clot buster drug Tenecteplase to save patient life in case of heart attack.
This ambitious initiative, also known as 'Mission Amrit' (Acute Myocardial Reperfusion in Time), aims to dramatically improve outcomes for patients experiencing ST-Segment Elevated Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), the most severe type of heart attack.
The minister accompanied by principal secretary health Kumar Rahul and professor and head of cardiology at DMCH-Ludhiana Dr Bishav Mohan, launched the project here and said that the Tenecteplase injection, which costs around ₹ 30,000, is being administered free of cost under this project.
'This injection helps to dissolve blood clots in the heart,' he added.
The project was launched across the state after the success of a pilot project, which was initially implemented in two districts— Ludhiana and Patiala— and extended to nine more districts later. In the pilot stage, approximately 14,000 chest pain patients have been enrolled, and out of 1305 STEMI patients identified, 583 have successfully received thrombolysis at district health facilities.
To ensure project's success, the minister said that over 700 staff members, including medical specialists, emergency medical officers (emos), and staff nurses from all 23 districts, have undergone intensive capacity-building training programmes at DMCH-Ludhiana.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Andhra: Junior doctors support foreign medical graduates over delay in permanent registration
Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA) on Friday expressed solidarity with nearly 500 foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who have been waiting for over 13 months to receive their permanent registration (PR), an official said. APJUDA noted that the FMGs are yet to receive their PR despite completing internships of one to two years, as required by the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council (APMC). "APJUDA is deeply concerned about the undue delay in granting PR to nearly 500 FMGs who have completed their internships," its general secretary, A Nikhil Singh, told PTI. Singh alleged that despite the constitution of a new APMC three months ago, the issue remains "unresolved due to administrative delays". The registrar's office has yet to begin shortlisting eligible candidates as per the National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, prolonging uncertainty for FMGs in the state, he added. According to an APJUDA press release, FMGs held a silent protest in Vijayawada on July 1, National Doctors' Day, which was "disrupted by police intervention", drawing criticism from the association. Meanwhile, APMC chairman Srihari Rao and registrar Ramesh clarified that FMGs were allotted internships in the southern state as per NMC-issued guidelines and instructions. FMGs who completed courses offline abroad, including those returning during Covid-19 or Ukraine war and later went back, were allotted one-year internship in medical colleges across Andhra Pradesh, said Rao in an official press release. FMGs who studied online from India without returning to their universities abroad were allotted two-year internships, said Ramesh in the press release, adding that NMC later issued guidelines requiring clerkship based on year-wise online study. While some FMGs resumed their two-year internship, others approached the high court, however, it upheld NMC rules, dismissing compensation certificates, and one appeal is subjudice, said Ramesh. "Without waiting for the final court judgment, FMGs began protests on July 2 of which the APMC was unaware and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav met protestors at NTR University and assured resolution," said Rao. The minister held a meeting on July 2, instructing APMC officials to visit Delhi and represent FMG grievances before NMC. FMGs, however, continued protests despite assurances, said Rao. APMC said most compensation certificates lacked clarity on online study periods, hence, NMC directed two-year internships, and APMC's allotment orders were fully justified and rule-based. The council appealed to FMGs to stop protests and follow NMC norms, adding that the minister is committed, and clarity will come soon from the court or NMC. Meanwhile, YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy criticised the government for using "police force" against FMGs demanding PR despite completing their internships and exams. He questioned the police action on FMGs' peaceful march to meet the NTR Health University registrar on June 1, alleging that many were "manhandled, detained, and removed" from the site. Reddy further alleged that over 700 doctors were forced into extended, unpaid internships, preventing them from applying for postgraduate courses and causing severe career "setbacks and emotional distress". "The N Chandrababu Naidu-led administration is exploiting FMGs as unpaid labour for private colleges while deliberately withholding PRs to serve corporate interests," Reddy alleged in a post on 'X' on June 2. Reddy demanded the immediate issuance of PRs to all eligible FMGs as per NMC norms and questioned the government's alleged attempt to "demoralise students" who chose to pursue medical education abroad. PTI
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: Dr Balbir emphasises dengue prevention, urges Village Health Committees to act
Punjab health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday appealed to Village Health Committees to take proactive measures in protecting communities from dengue, chikangunya, and malaria. Punjab health and family welfare minister Dr Balbir Singh launched the state-level campaign, 'Har Shukarvar, Village Health Committees Karangein Dengue Te Vaar', and released awareness posters for public dissemination. (HT File) Dr Balbir was leading an awareness drive under the state-level campaign 'Har Shukarvar Dengue Te Vaar' in Barmajra village, near Mohali, where he conducted door-to-door visits to educate residents about preventive measures against fever and the importance of destroying mosquito breeding grounds. Dr Balbir emphasised that the Aedes mosquito, which spreads dengue, breeds in clean stagnant water, and that draining such water once a week can effectively halt its lifecycle. He also urged residents to regularly clean and empty water containers such as coolers, refrigerator trays, and flowerpots, every Friday, to prevent mosquito breeding. 'If every household empties stagnant clean water once a week, we can prevent the spread of dengue not just in our homes, but across our communities,' he said. The minister explained that Village Health Committees, which include panchayat members, schoolteachers, anganwadi workers, and ASHA workers, are instrumental in spreading awareness. He also shared that he personally visits different villages every Friday to motivate people to participate in the campaign. Before presiding over a meeting with the Village Health Committee at Government School Barmajra, Dr Balbir launched the state-level campaign, 'Har Shukarvar, Village Health Committees Karangein Dengue Te Vaar', and released awareness posters for public dissemination. During an interaction with school students, Dr Balbir stressed the importance of personal hygiene and nutrition. He also advised students to wash their hands before eating, maintain dental and eye hygiene, and eat nutritious food. He also directed school staff to remain alert to students' health, encouraging them to inform health teams during routine check-ups if any child shows symptoms of illness.
The Print
10 hours ago
- The Print
Andhra: Junior doctors support foreign medical graduates over delay in permanent registration
'APJUDA is deeply concerned about the undue delay in granting PR to nearly 500 FMGs who have completed their internships,' its general secretary, A Nikhil Singh, told PTI. APJUDA noted that the FMGs are yet to receive their PR despite completing internships of one to two years, as required by the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council (APMC). Amaravati, Jul 4 (PTI) The Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors Association (APJUDA) on Friday expressed solidarity with nearly 500 foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who have been waiting for over 13 months to receive their permanent registration (PR), an official said. Singh alleged that despite the constitution of a new APMC three months ago, the issue remains 'unresolved due to administrative delays'. The registrar's office has yet to begin shortlisting eligible candidates as per the National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, prolonging uncertainty for FMGs in the state, he added. According to an APJUDA press release, FMGs held a silent protest in Vijayawada on July 1, National Doctors' Day, which was 'disrupted by police intervention', drawing criticism from the association. Meanwhile, APMC chairman Srihari Rao and registrar Ramesh clarified that FMGs were allotted internships in the southern state as per NMC-issued guidelines and instructions. FMGs who completed courses offline abroad, including those returning during Covid-19 or Ukraine war and later went back, were allotted one-year internship in medical colleges across Andhra Pradesh, said Rao in an official press release. FMGs who studied online from India without returning to their universities abroad were allotted two-year internships, said Ramesh in the press release, adding that NMC later issued guidelines requiring clerkship based on year-wise online study. While some FMGs resumed their two-year internship, others approached the high court, however, it upheld NMC rules, dismissing compensation certificates, and one appeal is subjudice, said Ramesh. 'Without waiting for the final court judgment, FMGs began protests on July 2 of which the APMC was unaware and Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav met protestors at NTR University and assured resolution,' said Rao. The minister held a meeting on July 2, instructing APMC officials to visit Delhi and represent FMG grievances before NMC. FMGs, however, continued protests despite assurances, said Rao. APMC said most compensation certificates lacked clarity on online study periods, hence, NMC directed two-year internships, and APMC's allotment orders were fully justified and rule-based. The council appealed to FMGs to stop protests and follow NMC norms, adding that the minister is committed, and clarity will come soon from the court or NMC. Meanwhile, YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy criticised the government for using 'police force' against FMGs demanding PR despite completing their internships and exams. He questioned the police action on FMGs' peaceful march to meet the NTR Health University registrar on June 1, alleging that many were 'manhandled, detained, and removed' from the site. Reddy further alleged that over 700 doctors were forced into extended, unpaid internships, preventing them from applying for postgraduate courses and causing severe career 'setbacks and emotional distress'. 'The N Chandrababu Naidu-led administration is exploiting FMGs as unpaid labour for private colleges while deliberately withholding PRs to serve corporate interests,' Reddy alleged in a post on 'X' on June 2. Reddy demanded the immediate issuance of PRs to all eligible FMGs as per NMC norms and questioned the government's alleged attempt to 'demoralise students' who chose to pursue medical education abroad. PTI MS STH NB MNK MNK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
