Sometimes a delay of a few minutes decides the distance between life and death. In cases of heart attack, these few seconds stop the patient's breathing. But now the Uttar Pradesh government has taken a big initiative to turn this most important time in favor of the patients. A decision which can prove to be safe for thousands of lives by breaking the limitations of small hospitals.

Government's big decision for heart attack patients

Tenecteplase or streptokinase injection will now be available absolutely free for heart attack patients in all government hospitals of Uttar Pradesh. As soon as the symptoms appear, whether it is a primary health center or a community health center, the doctor will immediately administer this injection and only then refer the patient to a cardiologist. The government will now make this injection, which costs Rs 40 to 50 thousand in the market, available without any charge.

Time delay was the biggest problem

According to Health Directorate officials, heart attack complaints are increasing rapidly in the country. In most of the cases, patients are taken to the nearest hospital, but in the absence of specialist facilities, doctors immediately send them to bigger hospitals. Delay in this referral process sometimes results in the death of the patient. Financially capable people get expensive injections in private hospitals, while normal patients reach critical condition due to lack of treatment.

Now free facility will be available in every hospital

In view of this challenge, the government has made the availability of these two injections mandatory in all medical colleges, district hospitals, CHCs and PHCs. Due to being expensive, common patients are not able to bear the cost of these medicines, hence the government has decided to make them available free of charge. The Health Directorate has instructed all the Chief Medical Officers to implement this system immediately.

Why is this injection necessary?

During a heart attack, a blood clot forms, causing a blockage. According to doctors, if tenecteplase or streptokinase injection is given in time, the process of clot formation stops. This gives enough 'golden time' to take the patient to a big hospital and the chances of saving life increases manifold.

Earlier the facility was limited only to big centers

Till now this system was available only in a few big medical institutions –

• KGMU Lucknow
• Lohia Institute
• SGPGI
• BHU Varanasi
• Saifai AIIMS
• AMU Aligarh
• MLN Medical College Prayagraj

Now the government is making it available in every small and big hospital of the state.