Uttar Pradesh Technical and Medical Education Minister Ashutosh Tandon expressed concern on three-fold increase in cases of serious form of heart attack (STEMI, ST Segment Myocardial Infarction) across the country.

Tandon expressed his concern while attending two-day STEMI India 2018 conference for improving management of ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan on Saturday. Professor Mansoor Hasan, Padmashree and former Head of Cardiology Department of King George's Medical University (KGMU) emphasized that everyone's contribution is vital for effective team work in management of heart disease. Prof Hasan also underlined that healthcare professionals must have empathy and uphold moral and ethical values while doing their part in healthcare.

STEMI India was established by Dr Thomas Alexander, Senior Interventional Cardiologist, Head of Division of Cardiology, Kovai Medical Center and Hospital, Coimbatore and Dr Ajit Mullasari, Director of Cardiology at The Madras Medical Mission, Chennai. Dr Thomas Alexander’s initial work in the Kovai Erode pilot STEMI study was used as a model for the Pilot Tamil Nadu STEMI project. This model involves close collaboration with the state governments, health insurance for below-poverty-line patients and the state-sponsored ambulance system.

A multifunctional 12 lead ECG integrated multi-parameter monitoring unit with data entry capability (“STEMI Kit”) is installed in all ambulances and hospitals. It can record and transmit ECG and other vital signs. A team of experienced cardiologists is available on-call 24X7 to diagnose the ECG sent to their mobile phone through the STEMI India application.

Dr Thomas Alexander stated “STEMI India, supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), conducted a year-long pilot study in Tamil Nadu to study the impact of the STEMI India model, which addresses both the key problems: accurate diagnosis as well as choice of optimal treatment strategy. The implementation of the STEMI India model of care resulted in reduction in deaths as well as relative risk reduction.”

World Heart Federation has endorsed this STEMI model for all low and middle-income countries globally. ICMR has recommended it as the model for heart attack management in India. Moreover, this model has also been recommended by Cardiological Society of India and Association of Physicians of India as ideal model for a national STEMI Programme.

“Successful running of the model requires a network of intensive cardiac care units (ICCUs) within fixed distances, dependable ambulance services and a network of trained doctors. It also requires a public-private partnership system in place for sharing the responsibility of providing emergency services and cath lab facilities,” added Dr Ajit Mullasari, Director of Cardiology at The Madras Medical Mission, Chennai. Dr Monika Bhandari, KGMU Cardiologist and part of STEMI India organizing committee, informed that senior government officials and other experts are deliberating on replicating and implementing this model in UP.