Sunday, July 04, 2010
Angiography and angioplasty will be conducted for free


Hubli: A fifteen-day free angiography and angioplasty camp organised by the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) and Hospital began here on Saturday on the hospital premises, with a formal inauguration. KIMS plans to conduct as many as 100 angiographies and 25 angioplasties during the camp, which aims to provide quality cardiac healthcare to the poorer sections of society.

Inaugurating the camp, journalist and president of Karnataka Vidyavardhaka Sangha Patil Puttappa lauded the initiative.

The former Minister for Medical Education A.B. Malakaraddy, who is an alumnus of KIMS, said that at a time when cardiac healthcare had become expensive, such camps came as a relief to the poor.

Presiding over the inaugural ceremony, Medical Director of KIMS M.G. Hiremath said that several donors had come forward to bear the expenses of stents used in the angioplasty, because of which the hospital was able to provide the service free of cost to patients. As many as 25 cardiac patients had already been admitted for various treatments, he said.

The camp would conclude with a Continued Medical Education (CME) for cardiologists on July 17, during which cardiac surgeons Dr. Manjunath from Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology, Bangalore, and Dr. Dixit from KLE Hospital, Belgaum, would perform “live cardiac surgery”, Mr. Hiremath said.

Cardiologist N.S. Hiregoudar welcomed the gathering. Chief Administrator of KIMS S.A. Mathad proposed a vote of thanks. During the 15-day programme, cardiac health camps would be held at Civil Hospital in Dharwad, Hubli Cooperative Hospital, HDMC Hospital in Old Hubli, Kalaghatagi, Kundagol and Navalgund.