Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, has stated that there is not enough evidence to confirm the cause of sudden deaths that have been reported in some young people after COVID-19. The Indian Council of Medical Research is currently conducting three different studies to determine the facts regarding the apprehension of rising cases of cardiac arrest after COVID-19.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs Ravindra Kushwaha and Khagen Murmu asked the Union Health Minister whether the number of people dying of cardiac attacks had increased across the country after COVID-19.Mandaviya informed the house that to determine the facts regarding the apprehension of rising cases of cardiac arrest after COVID-19, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is conducting three different studies.
He mentioned that a multi-centric matched case-control study on factors associated with sudden deaths among adults aged 18 to 45 in India is currently underway at around 40 hospitals/research centers.
Mandaviya also mentioned that another multicentric hospital-based matched case-control study is being conducted at around 30 COVID-19 clinical registry hospitals to determine the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on thrombotic events among the population aged 18 to 45 in 2022 in India. Additionally, there is another study underway to establish the cause of sudden unexplained deaths in young people through virtual and physical autopsy.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare of the Centre provides technical and financial support to states and Union Territories under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) to address health issues related to cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease is an integral part of NP-NCD.
The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) includes strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion, population-based screening of the population in the 30-year and above age group under the Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre, early diagnosis, and management, and referral to an appropriate level of health care facility to address health issues related to cardiovascular disease.
As part of NP-NCD, there are now 724 district non-communicable disease clinics, 210 district cardiac care units, 326 district day care centres, and 6,110 community health centre non-communicable disease clinics.There is also focus on cardiovascular diseases in its various aspects in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY),” Mandaviya said.
To facilitate accessible and affordable healthcare and treatment, many steps have been taken by the Centre, as mentioned by Mandaviya. Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary or tertiary care hospitalization is provided to over 60 crore beneficiaries.
The treatment packages under AB-PMJAY are comprehensive, covering various treatment-related aspects such as drugs and diagnostic services.Under Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), financial assistance is provided to families living below the poverty line for their treatment in government hospitals.Additionally, quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the state governments.
