Since launch, tele-ECG service saved 131 critically-ill heart patients: Haryana govt

Chandigarh, Jul 10 (PTI) Haryana's tele-ECG service has benefited 2,688 patients since its launch in May, helping save the lives of 131 critically-ill heart patients by enabling treatment during the “golden hour”, the state government said on Friday. Launched by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on May 29, the tele-ECG service is currently operational at 600 government health institutions, including district and sub-divisional hospitals, community health centres (CHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs). According to an official statement, the service provides rapid diagnosis for cardiac emergencies such as heart attacks, arrhythmias and other cardiovascular conditions through cardiologists using a tele-reporting technology. According to the state government, the system has enabled timely identification of critically-ill patients and reduced delays in treatment, particularly in the rural and remote areas where specialist cardiac care is often unavailable. Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said the initiative would bring a major transformation in rural healthcare by ensuring that expert cardiac diagnosis reaches patients closer to their homes. The service allows patients to receive an ECG report interpreted by a cardiologist within 10 minutes at a cost of Rs 89, making quality cardiac care both affordable and accessible, Rao said. The Centre has approved the project under the Record of Proceedings (RoP) 2026-27, with Rs 2.92 crore sanctioned under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), the statement said. The government expects around 3.28 lakh ECG tests to be conducted annually under the programme. Of these, nearly 2.30 lakh are projected at 192 district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals and CHCs, while about 97,920 ECGs are expected at 408 PHCs. Rao said the initiative was conceived after a heart attack patient died at a sub-divisional hospital due to the absence of an ECG facility, preventing timely diagnosis and referral during the “golden hour”, the critical first 60 minutes after the onset of heart attack symptoms. The incident prompted the government to ensure ECG facilities at all levels of the public healthcare system, leading to the rollout of tele-ECG services across the state, she said. The minister added that the government would continue introducing digital healthcare innovations to improve access to quality medical services for people across Haryana. PTI VSD ARI