Heart Association wants dedicated cardiac care countrywide to stem 25,000 deaths annually

Saturday, 12 July 2014 02:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Kicks off 14th Annual Academic Session under theme ‘Optimising STEMI Care Saves More Lives’

Sri Lanka Heart Association President Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe (right) at the media briefing yesterday. Others from left are Dr. W.S. Santharaj, Dr. Vajira Senaratne and Dr. Naomali Amarasena - Pic by Sameera Wijesinghe

With around 25,000 deaths due to heart attacks annually, the Sri Lanka Heart Association (SLHA) is advocating the need for easily available dedicated cardiac care countrywide. Noting that optimising programs for ST Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), commonly known as a heart attack, are essential, SLHA President Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe said: “We currently do have STEMI programs but it is not a dedicate one. We need to have a program where a patient from any part of the country can reach the nearest hospital in an ambulance that provides the necessary care till he has access to specialised treatment.” At present, 24-hour STEMI care is available in government and private hospitals in Colombo, but in other regions the facility is only available for few hours each day. “Other neighbouring countries have successfully implemented a dedicated system and it is imperative Sri Lanka too does the same. To ensure we have such a system in the near future the SLHA will be speaking to the relevant health authorities in this regard,” added Dr. Ranasinghe in his comments at a press conference held on the sidelines of the 14th SLAH Academic Sessions which kicked off yesterday in Colombo. Dr. Ranasinghe said that with statistics showing that an average of 25,000 deaths occurs per year due to heart attacks, it is necessary to implement a dedicated STEMI program in the near future to reduce this number. The opening of the SLAH academic sessions featured as Chief Guest Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena and the conference will be addressed by over 70 healthcare professionals out of which 40 are from overseas. Having picked the theme ‘Optimising STEMI Care Saves More Lives’, Dr. Ranasinghe said the conference is the starting point of the dialogue. The conference will have plenary lectures, symposiums and research lectures covering a wide range of cardiovascular topics conducted by national as well as guest faculty from USA, UK, Italy, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Pakistan, and India. In addition to the sessions the event will also facilitate programs for nurses and allied care professionals. “We aim at raising awareness among the healthcare professionals on the importance of providing timely STEMI care. It is important that a patient to have expert care within three hours from the first pain. Heart attacks cannot be cured, but it can be prevented. And it can be prevented if the patient has access to medical assistance within the first three hours. This is imperative,” he said at the press conference also attended by Dr. Vajira Senaratne, Dr. Neomali Amarasena and Dr. W.S. Santharaj, who are council members of the SLHA. Pointing out an emerging trend on the instances of heart attacks, Dr. Senaratne shared that while in the past it was the older population that were affected with the disease, in the recent years it is mostly younger persons that are being affected. Attributing the increasing instance of heart attacks amongst the younger population to unhealthy lifestyles and diets, Dr. Senaratne said: “Just as it is important to increase awareness amongst healthcare professionals on preventive measures, it is equally important to educate the public on measures that should take when they doubt to be having a heart attack. Never ignore the symptoms and disregard it as a minor issue. It is important to reach the nearest base hospital as soon as possible since there is a chance of sure at the very early stage.” The SLHA, that has a history of more than 40 years, is the main gathering point for cardiologists in the country. Every year the association conducts a series of academic events to promote the professional development of their members and translate knowledge into effective patient care. The annual academic sessions are patronised by more than 400 delegates including cardiologists, doctors of other related specialties, postgraduate trainees and allied healthcare professionals.