In an attempt to strengthen the rural healthcare sector amid the Covid pandemic, Cardiology at Doorstep (CAD) Foundation is setting up ECG machines at Gram Panchayats.
Speaking to News Karnataka Dr. Padmanabha Kamath, founder of CAD Foundation Trust, said CAD Foundation started in February 2018 through a WhatsApp group comprising doctors to help patients in remote and rural areas of the country by providing ECG machines and telemedicine facilities. CAD Foundation has provided more than 378 ECG machines in 25 districts. The machines have been installed in primary health centres, community health centres, Janaushadhi Kendras, clinics, anaganwadis, and hospitals.
“On July 1 Miyar GP becomes the first panchayat in India to have its own ECG machine, telemedicine unit, and a dedicated ambulance,” he informed.
Explaining the inspiration behind this noble initiative he said, ” After losing a young patient to heart attack due to delayed diagnosis in 2014, I started maintaining a database of all the doctors in the rural area. Then we formed a Whatsapp group comprising all the vital doctors in Feb 2018. As of now, we have dedicated 378 ECG machines to health centres located in remote areas. The group has been able to save over 15,000 lives so far,” he said.
Sharing his vision, he said, “We can achieve better network of PHCs, UHCs, and CHCs in every corner of India with the support of volunteers, people, philanthropists, and government organisations.
“I have a dream of having tele medicine unit for every 50 kms and an Ambulance facility for every 10,000 population. This is achievable,” said Dr. Kamath.