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WhatsApp to rescue of human lives

FARZANA SYED. Dated: 6/14/2018 9:51:04 AM

'Save Heart Initiative ' saves lives of patients

SRINAGAR, Jun 13: An online network initiative started by a group of doctors has proved to be life saving for scores of patients in far flung areas of Kashmir suffering heart attacks.
While the cases of heart attacks are increasingly reported from different places of Kashmir, the delay in the immediate treatment to a patient in rural areas has lead to scores of deaths.
In a bid to minimise the casualties due to cardiac arrest, cardiologists from SKIMS and SMHS hospitals created an online WhatsApp group under the tag of 'Save Heart Initiative ' in the month of December last year.
The group allows the doctors posted in far flung areas to keep connected to doctors posted at SKIMS or other hospitals, for advice regarding the immediate treatment during a patient emergency.
At any hospital in far flung area whenever there is a cardiac emergency the doctors posted there post-ECG in the WhatsApp group and receive advice from senior cardiologists and other specialists.
According to the doctors, the online connectivity has resulted in saving lives of thousands of patients in rural areas.
Dr Nasir Shams, who is a part of the initiative, revealed that the network was quite effective in providing immediate treatment to the patients through the advice and guidance from cardiologists at SKIMS and other hospitals.
"When a person suffers cardiac arrest they need immediate treatment however for the patients in rural areas the treatment gets delayed since it takes time to reach SKIMS or SMHS hospital. By the time patient reaches there, most of the damage is already done which causes the death of patient," said Dr Shams.
He said, "Through online WhatsApp network the doctors posted in far flung areas stay connected to the senior cardiologists for guidance during a patient emergency till the patient is referred to SKIMS or other hospital for further treatment. This initiative has saved lives of thousands of patients suffering heart attacks".
The doctors revealed that around 2000 patients have been treated through the WhatsApp network.
"Lives of around 200 patients from rural areas have been saved of through WhatsApp group. This online connectivity between doctors in rural and urban areas is probing to be life saver for patients of far flung areas," said Dr Aadil of SMHS hospital.
The doctors who are a part of the WhatsApp network revealed that more and more doctors from outside state and other countries were being added in the group to receive more advanced and immediate guidance at any possible time.
Dr Mushtaq who is Medical superintendent at District hospital Pulwama said, "Through the online connectivity we have been able to provide the immediate treatment to a patient at the earliest. This has reduced the heart attack deaths to a huge extent which is more encouraging and satisfying".