How the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Scheme is Saving Thousands of Cardiac Patients in Karnataka

Cardiovascular diseases continue to be a leading health challenge globally, and Karnataka has witnessed a significant rise in heart attack cases. To address this, the Government of Karnataka launched the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi scheme in 2024, an ambitious initiative aimed at minimizing delays in diagnosing and treating heart attack patients, especially in rural areas. Since its inception, this program has played a crucial role in saving nearly 16,000 lives through early intervention and modern technology integration.

Overview of the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Scheme

Named after the beloved actor Puneeth Rajkumar, the scheme was designed to provide swift and effective cardiac care by enabling early diagnosis and timely treatment at taluk-level hospitals. Implemented through a hub-and-spoke model, it connects primary taluk hospitals (spokes) to specialized super-speciality hospitals (hubs), ensuring patients receive the necessary advanced care without delay.

Key Statistics Since Launch

• Screenings conducted: Over 11.78 lakh people screened since March 2023
• Electrocardiograms (ECGs) performed: More than 12.26 lakh ECGs conducted across participating centers
• STEMI cases detected: 18,804 patients diagnosed with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), a severe heart attack type
• Successful treatments: 15,908 patients (84.6%) received timely interventions including thrombolysis, angioplasty, stenting, and bypass surgeries
• Tenecteplase administration: 1,560 patients treated with this costly clot-busting injection free of cost since May 2024

How Artificial Intelligence Enhances Cardiac Care

One of the pioneering features of this scheme is the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled technology. AI assists doctors in rapidly diagnosing patients by categorizing them based on the severity of their cardiac condition. This streamlined diagnosis helps medical professionals initiate critical treatments within minutes, improving survival rates substantially.

AI-supported ECG interpretation allows taluk hospitals to identify severe cases swiftly, ensuring patients with life-threatening STEMI are prioritized and referred promptly to super-speciality hubs.

The Hub-and-Spoke Model Explained

The Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi scheme functions with 86 district and taluk hospitals serving as “spoke” centers, while 10 leading super-speciality hospitals act as “hubs” providing advanced cardiac care. This network enables easy referral and access to high-end cardiac treatments such as angioplasty, stenting, and Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG).

The model ensures that even patients in remote rural areas can be diagnosed and stabilised quickly at local taluk hospitals before being transported or referred for specialist treatment without unnecessary delays.

Expanding Access and Future Plans

Karnataka’s health authorities announced plans in September 2025 to expand this scheme to cover all taluk hospitals across the state. Work is underway to implement this ambitious extension, which will broaden the reach and effectiveness of cardiac care for the broader population.

Additionally, the government approved the establishment of Jayadeva satellite centres at existing multi-specialty referral centers, including facilities in Govindarajanagar and Shivajinagar. These satellites will augment the network of hubs, making specialized cardiac care even more accessible.

Why the Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi Scheme Matters

Cardiovascular health is a critical area of concern, and timely intervention is vital in preventing fatalities from heart attacks. The Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyothi scheme has become an exemplary public health intervention that brings state-of-the-art cardiac care closer to rural and underserved communities.

By leveraging technology, efficient care models, and government support, Karnataka is setting a benchmark for cardiac care programs across India.

How Patients Benefit

• Immediate access to ECG testing at local taluk hospitals
• Rapid diagnosis with AI assistance, prioritizing urgent cases
• Timely treatment with advanced therapies, including free access to expensive drugs like Tenecteplase
• Streamlined referrals to specialized cardiac hospitals ensuring continuity of care

Through continued innovation and expansion, the scheme promises to save more lives and reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases in Karnataka significantly.