Karnataka Dr Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Karnataka Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Scheme is a flagship emergency cardiac care initiative launched by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, on 31 October 2023. Named in memory of renowned Kannada actor Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar, the scheme aims to reduce deaths caused by heart attacks and other serious cardiac emergencies by ensuring timely diagnosis and treatment through government healthcare facilities across the state.

The primary objective of the scheme is to ensure that individuals experiencing symptoms of a heart attack receive immediate medical attention during the critical "Golden Hour" – the first hour after the onset of symptoms when prompt treatment can significantly improve survival rates and reduce long-term heart damage. Through this initiative, the Karnataka Government seeks to strengthen emergency cardiac healthcare services and make advanced heart care more accessible, particularly in rural and underserved regions.

The scheme operates through an innovative Hub-and-Spoke healthcare model. Under this system, Taluk Hospitals, Community Health Centres, and selected government health facilities function as "Spokes," while District Hospitals, Medical Colleges, and higher-level cardiac care centres act as "Hubs." Patients visiting local hospitals with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, excessive sweating, jaw pain, or arm pain can undergo immediate ECG testing. The ECG reports are digitally transmitted to cardiologists and specialists at Hub hospitals for rapid interpretation and treatment guidance.

A major feature of the scheme is the use of technology-enabled healthcare services. Digital ECG machines, tele-cardiology support, and real-time communication between doctors allow quick identification of heart attacks and other cardiac emergencies. This integrated approach supports the timely management of STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) and other serious cardiac conditions that require urgent medical intervention.

One of the major highlights of the Karnataka Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Scheme is the provision of free life-saving treatment for eligible heart attack patients at participating government healthcare facilities. Under the scheme, patients diagnosed with certain types of acute heart attacks can receive emergency thrombolytic therapy, including the administration of Tenecteplase injection. This injection, which can cost around ₹30,000 or more in private healthcare settings, is made available through the public healthcare system to ensure that financial constraints do not delay critical treatment during the Golden Hour.

Karnataka Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Scheme is part of the Karnataka Government's larger effort to strengthen public healthcare services and improve access to quality medical care. In addition to this emergency cardiac care initiative, the state government has introduced several other health-focused programmes, including Gruha Arogya Yojana, which delivers healthcare services at the doorstep of citizens, and Karnataka Arogya Sanjeevini Scheme, which provides financial protection and health insurance coverage for various medical treatments. Together, these initiatives reflect the government's commitment to improving preventive, curative, and emergency healthcare services across urban and rural areas of Karnataka.

The Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Scheme also strengthens Karnataka's public healthcare infrastructure by improving emergency response systems, enhancing the capacity of government hospitals, and ensuring the availability of trained healthcare professionals. By integrating ambulance services, emergency medical teams, telemedicine platforms, and specialist cardiac centres, the scheme creates a comprehensive cardiac care network across the state.

Through this initiative, the Government of Karnataka seeks to improve early detection of heart attacks, reduce treatment delays, lower mortality rates, and provide equitable access to quality cardiac care for residents across the state. The scheme represents an important step towards strengthening emergency cardiac healthcare services and addressing the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Scheme Benefits

• Provides free emergency cardiac care for suspected heart attack patients.
• Facilitates treatment during the Golden Hour, which is crucial for saving lives.
• Offers ECG testing at participating government hospitals.
• Uses digital technology for quick transmission and interpretation of ECG reports.
• Connects Taluk Hospitals with super-speciality cardiac centres through a Hub-and-Spoke model.
• Enables rapid diagnosis of heart attacks and other cardiac emergencies.
• Provides specialist consultation through telemedicine support.
• Includes administration of life-saving drugs such as Tenecteplase where medically required.
• Reduces delays in treatment and improves survival rates.
• Strengthens emergency cardiac care infrastructure across Karnataka.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Focused on the treatment and management of heart attacks and other cardiac emergencies.
• Provides emergency cardiac care through participating government healthcare facilities.
• Operates through a Hub-and-Spoke healthcare delivery model.
• Facilitates immediate ECG testing and rapid diagnosis.
• Uses digital ECG transmission for quick review by cardiac specialists.
• Provides tele-cardiology support and specialist consultation.
• Supports timely management of STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) cases.
• Facilitates emergency thrombolytic therapy for eligible patients.
• Provides access to life-saving medicines such as Tenecteplase injection.
• Strengthens referral linkages between Taluk Hospitals and higher-level cardiac care centres.
• Improves access to emergency heart care services in rural and underserved areas.
• Contributes to reducing treatment delays and improving patient outcomes.

Eligibility Requirements

The Karnataka Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Scheme is an emergency healthcare initiative designed to provide timely cardiac care through participating government healthcare facilities. Since detailed beneficiary eligibility guidelines have not been separately prescribed in the public domain, the following general conditions may apply:

• The individual should require emergency cardiac evaluation or treatment as determined by medical professionals.
• The patient should visit or be brought to a government healthcare facility covered under the scheme.
• The patient should comply with the medical assessment and treatment procedures prescribed by the hospital.
• Benefits are subject to the availability of services at participating healthcare institutions.
• Any other document requested by the treating doctor or hospital authorities.

Required Documents

Since the Karnataka Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Scheme is an emergency cardiac care programme, patients are advised to carry and share the following documents, if available. The treating hospital or doctor may ask for additional documents depending on the patient's condition, treatment requirements, and hospital procedures.

• Aadhaar Card or any other Government-issued photo identity proof.
• Patient registration card issued by the hospital, if applicable.
• Previous medical records related to heart disease or other health conditions.
• Previous ECG reports, diagnostic test reports, or discharge summaries, if available.
• Doctor's prescription or referral slip, if available.
• Health insurance details (if applicable).
• Contact details of a family member or attendant.
• Any other document requested by the treating doctor or hospital authorities

Steps to Avail Benefits

Karnataka Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Scheme is an emergency healthcare programme. Patients are not required to submit a separate online or offline application form. Eligible individuals may avail the benefits by following the process below:

• Visit the nearest participating Government Hospital, Taluk Hospital, Community Health Centre, or District Hospital immediately if symptoms of a heart attack occur.
• Inform the medical staff about chest pain, breathing difficulty, sweating, arm pain, jaw pain, or related symptoms.
• The hospital conducts an ECG and other required emergency assessments.
• ECG results are digitally transmitted to cardiac specialists for immediate review.
• Doctors determine the appropriate treatment based on the patient's condition.
• Life-saving medicines and emergency interventions are provided as required.
• If advanced treatment is needed, the patient is referred to the designated higher-level cardiac care centre.

Relevant Links

• Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department
• National Health Mission Karnataka

Contact Information

• Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka
• Health Helpline: 104
• Emergency Ambulance Service: 108