Kalpana Chawla medical college to get cardiac cath lab soon

Heart patients of Karnal and nearby districts will soon get cardiac care at Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College (KCGMC), Karnal, as the medical college authorities have started the process of setting up of a dedicated cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab). A tender process has been initiated by the authorities and the facility is likely to become operational soon, which, as per the authorities, will offer life-saving procedures such as angiography and angioplasty.

At present, the KCGMC lacks a dedicated cardiology department, as the cardiac patients are seen at the department of medicine. It forces patients requiring advanced cardiac interventions to seek treatment at higher medical centres or private hospitals, which sometimes leads to delays and additional financial burdens.

Sources inside the medical college said the medical college received three to four patients per week, requiring urgent cardiac interventions. In the absence of specialised facilities, these patients were referred to other institutions. The establishment of the cath lab under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode would bridge the gap by providing diagnostic and treatment services within the medical college premises.

“We have floated the tender and the facility will start soon. Once operational, the patients will no longer need to travel to higher centres for diagnosis and treatment related to cardiac ailments,” said Dr MK Garg, Director, KCGMC,

Dr Amandeep Singh, head of the department of medicine, emphasised the benefits of the new facility. “The starting of a cath lab will enhance patient care. The cardiac patients will receive timely and comprehensive management. We are hopeful that the lab will become functional by the end of January,” he added.

The residents of the city also welcomed the step. They said it was a long-pending issue. “A state-of-art cardiac centre for patient care is a long standing demand. Many families have struggled with the lack of local treatment options for heart-related issues,” said Rajiv Kumar, a resident. He said the facility would improve the healthcare infrastructure of the medical college and patients would get the cardiac facilities near their door-step.

Amneet Singh, another resident, said that a cath lab is much needed for any health institution. “It is a welcome step that it is being set up in Karnal,” he added.