New Delhi, 30 thSeptember 2024: In a major step towards building a heart-healthy city, Manipal Hospitals, among the top healthcare service providers of India, introduced its Hridoye Jurey Kolkata initiative today. The event was organized as a prelude to the World Heart Day, observed globally every year on September 29th. The engaging sessions included leading cardiac specialists from all units of Manipal Hospitals in Kolkata, who shared their varied experiences in cardiovascular health and innovative surgeries that are transforming medical discourse around patient outcomes.

The event was attended by Chief Guest, Mr. Barun Chanda, prominent actor and author. It also witnessed experts in cardiology, including Dr Prakash Kumar Hazra, Director & HoD, Cardiology, Manipal Hospitals, Dhakuria, Dr Rabin Chakraborty, Senior Vice Chairman & Head of Cardiology, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (a part of Manipal Hospitals), and Dr Kunal Sarkar, Senior Vice Chairman & Head of Cardiac Surgery, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (a part of Manipal Hospitals), along with Mr Ayanabh DebGupta, Regional COO, Manipal Hospitals (East), addressed the noble healthcare initiative.

The event also saw the launch of two groundbreaking awareness initiatives. ‘One Scan Can Save a Life’, in which boards with a QR code will be fixed at traffic signals. By scanning the code, citizens can get instant access to MARS (Manipal Ambulance Response Service), promoting both 24×7 Emergency Service, along with informative video tutorials on learning how to administer CPR (cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Procedure). As part of the initiative, traffic lights across the jurisdiction of Bidhan Nagar Police Commissionerate will be displaying heart-shapes, instead of the usual round shape, from 25th September night till 30th September, at important crossroads. The unique traffic signals are expected to constantly instill awareness of heart health amongst the people of Kolkata.

The ‘Hridoye Jurey Kolkata’ campaign aims to ensure at least 3 percent of Indians know how to administer CPR. Manipal Hospitals conducted an extensive CPR training program for community members, including Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), school students, staff and principals, security guards, police personnel, HR heads, and corporate employees. The initiative, called ‘Heart Smart Kolkata’ aims to develop a database of people trained in CPR all over the city.

This was followed by two panel discussions — Heart Problems in Women, and Cardiac Surgery: Myths Vs Facts — where top cardiologists and cardiac surgeons from Manipal Hospitals provided valuable insights.

Mr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Chief Operating Officer, Manipal Hospitals East, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “Hridoye Jurey Kolkata aims to build communities of heroes and survivors by improving action and response to cardiac arrest through training, preparation and response protocols. We intend to create a heart safe community through training citizens in CPR and we are actively taking this initiative across all Manipal group hospitals in the East. We want the message to be spread across schools, colleges, corporates, clubs and all other associations so that those who are trained in CPR can train their near and dear ones. This way we can create a huge pool of CPR trained resources around us, which will help us to save many a lives.”

Dr. Kunal Sarkar, Senior Vice Chairman & Head of Cardiac Surgery, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (a part of Manipal Hospitals), further highlighted Manipal Hospitals’ commitment to the initiative, stating, “At Manipal Hospitals, our vision is to revolutionize the cardiac care system of Kolkata while offering the best and latest treatments.”

“Cardiovascular diseases are ranked as the leading causes of death, affecting one-third of all global deaths; it therefore becomes crucial to address prevention, early intervention, and effective management of these conditions. ‘Hridoye Jurey Kolkata’ is a proof of our commitment to make the city a heart smart one. Another significant achievement of our work includes the swift solution to the method of using a Quick Response Code (QR) to access emergency assistance or a CPR demonstration and the reminder through the heart-shaped traffic signs that make the community aware of cardiovascular diseases. We seek to make a lasting change and create a force of people capable of making life-saving CPR actions that can cover minimum 3% population of India. As a team, we are hopeful to action against premature mortality and provide efficient care for heart health risks for the populace of Kolkata,” Dr Sarkar added.

Dr. Rabin Chakraborty, Senior Vice Chairman & Head of Cardiology, Medica Superspecialty Hospital (a part of Manipal Hospitals), commented, “The rising incidences of cardiovascular diseases especially among patients between 25-40 years is a matter of grave concern. The percentage of heart attacks before the age of 50 has gone up to 50% over last decade. More than 25% suffer heart attacks before their 40th birthday. Even women are succumbing to heart failures at a much younger age. As per research by the American Heart Association, in the last decade, there has been a 20% increase in heart attacks in women under 55. Keeping these critical factors in mind, as doctors, we feel there is a need to focus on preventive measures, early diagnosis, and timely treatment. The ‘Hridoye Jurey Kolkata’ initiative by Manipal Hospitals is a timely initiative in making Kolkata a heart-healthy city. We need to educate the community, society at large and change specific behaviors for prevention of heart diseases, improving the health of individuals.”

Dr. Prakash Kumar Hazra, Director & HoD, Cardiology, Manipal Hospitals, Dhakuria, said, “This initiative that we have taken up this World Heart Day, will make people of Kolkata more aware about their heart health. Moreover, training common people in CPR techniques is not only unique, it is also crucial. Knowing CPR can help save thousands of lives because even the basic effort to resuscitate the heart till a heart attack patient is brought to a hospital can help. This World Heart Day we have also taken the pledge of ‘Mission 2 to 3’ meaning that while two percent Indians already know CPR, we want to train the general public and take up the percentage to three, so that more and more people are encouraged to learn this technique.”

During the panel discussions important facets were highlighted by the doctors (refer to annexure below) and the specialists exchanged views and presented various aspects regarding cardiac health, liberal medical preventative measures, and contemporary trends in cardiac treatment.

According to World Heart Federation, 1 in 3 deaths across the globe are caused by cardiovascular diseases, and majority of premature heart disease and stroke are preventable and treatable, if the patient is brought to a hospital within the golden hour. With this heart smart program being run in Kolkata, Manipal Hospitals is confident that there will be an improvement in the heart health status of every Kolkatan.