NE HEALTH BUREAU
MANIPAL, JUNE 2
While the country has been battling the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic under a lockdown, Dr. Padmanabh Kamath, Professor & HOD Cardiology, KMC Mangalore has not only saved the lives but also spread hope among over 2000 people in Karnataka state and the Kasaragod district of neighbouring Kerala, says a hospital release.
Dr. Padmanabh Kamath along with the members of Cardiology at Doorstep (CAD), a WhatsApp group that Dr. Kamath created three years ago, got to work, trying to save lives together. A total of 2010 ECGs cases and 204 heart attack patients that were reported on the CAD WhatsApp group were identified and treated effectively all over Karnataka and Kerala.
This success was achieved due to his constant efforts through the years to provide adequate infrastructure to hospitals across the country and make a difference. Thus with his relentless efforts, sheer grit, and determination, he touched the lives of 2010 people who were screened from across 20 districts in Karnataka and Kasaragod district of Kerala.
The breakup of the patients across districts that this initiative has aided:
Chitradurga – 28, Mandya – 15, Hassan – 13, Uttara Kannada – 15, Davangere District – 10, Bhagalkot – 8, Dharwad – 5, Bangalore rural – 14, Dakshina Kannada – 22 and Others – 54
Overall, the group has a reach of more than 25 lakh population across 20 districts of Karnataka. This is huge considering the magnitude of the problem.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr. Padmanabh Kamath, Director, HOD Cardiology, KMC Hospitals Mangalore, said, “I didn’t waste my time thinking about what will happen tomorrow, instead I saved few lives. I feel happy about what I have done. A small initiative that I started 3 years ago has proved its worth during the lockdown. We at KMC Hospitals Manipal always focused on providing our patients with efficient and effective treatments. Success tastes very sweet especially during the extremely hostile conditions of these perilous times where so many lives have been saved. We will continue to work in the best interest of our patients and give them a fighting chance at a full and healthy life even in the face of adversities.”
