Thrombolysis is being performed in district hospitals as a routine for management of heart attacks across district hospitals of Kashmir division. Fibrolysis facility is available at all district hospitals and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is available at only the two tertiary care centers. A novel initiative using social media as a connecting tool between tertiary care and peripheral hospitals has been developed and this interface functions as a virtual ER. The primary objective of “Save Heart Initiative” is to reduce the delay in treatment and improve survival in MI patients. The initiative uses a hub and spoke model with SMHS and SKIMS being the hubs and various DHs and CHCs working as spokes. The initiative started with a seminar, which was inaugurated by Director Health Services Kashmir on 21st December 2017 and attended by physician specialists from Health Department and cardiologists Dr Irfan and Dr Imran Hafeez from SKIMS & SMHS respectively. The Director in his inaugural speech stressed for the importance of this initiative and also stated that 21st December of every year will be observed by the department as “Save Hearts Day” so to sensitize the public about the various cardiac ailments and ways to prevent the same.

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For further information visit: http://www.saveheartkashmir.org/