Mangaluru: The Dakshina Kannada District became the first District in the country to reach cardio care to the door steps of the citizens. The ‘Hridaya Vaishalya Yojana (HVY) was launched in a simple function in the District.
Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kumar, announced the groundbreaking implementation of the Hriday Vaishalya Yojana, a pioneering initiative in Dakshina Kannada District. This programme aimed to provide free screening camps for heart-related diseases, the first-of-its-kind in the entire country.
Under the joint efforts of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, District Health and Family Welfare Department, Mangaluru Taluk Health Officer’s Office, and the Cardiology Doorstep Foundation Dr. Padmanabha Kamath and his team spearheaded the launch of the Hriday Vaishalya Yojana. This visionary scheme aimed to bring cardiologists directly to the doorsteps of patients, ensuring vital medical facilities were readily available in rural areas.
Chief Secretary of the state took note of this groundbreaking initiative, recognising it as a significant milestone in healthcare. Dr Padmanabha Kamath, the brilliant mind behind the Hridaya Vaishalya scheme, shared his motivation for implementing the programme. He emphasised the importance of catering to the healthcare needs of rural communities and reiterated that the Hriday Vaishalya Yojana was designed to ensure medical facilities were accessible at the doorstep of those living in remote areas.
Every Wednesday, a specialist cardiologist would visit the designated primary health centre or community health centre to conduct free check-ups for the public. Dr. Kamath urged the community to take full advantage of this opportunity, highlighting the scheme’s purpose of extending medical care to rural areas, and empowering the public to prioritise their cardiac health.
During the introduction, Dr. Padmanabha Kamath expressed his hope that the Hriday Vaishalya Yojana would expand beyond the District’s boundaries and encompass the entire state. The success of this project relied on the active participation of both town residents and health officials. The responsibility to drive this initiative forward rested with each community Health officer (CHO) and local health officer, as they were entrusted with implementing the program effectively. Dr. Kamath emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to ensure the scheme’s success and longevity.