Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is set to launch two crucial healthcare programs in Andhra Pradesh on November 6, focusing on early detection and rapid treatment for cancer and heart disease:
- Universal Cancer Screening Programme: This initiative will enable statewide screenings for oral, breast, and cervical cancers. Community Health Officers (CHOs) and ANMs will conduct door-to-door visits to screen individuals, aiming to identify symptoms early and raise awareness.
- Community Outreach: As part of the cancer screening program, healthcare workers will visit each household, ensuring the program reaches all demographics and promotes early intervention in cancer treatment.
- STEMI Heart Care Programme: The Chief Minister will also introduce the ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) program. This is designed to provide rapid response and treatment for heart attack cases through a network of hospitals.
- Hub-and-Spoke Model: The STEMI program operates on a hub-and-spoke system, with 238 spoke centers (community health centers and district hospitals) and 37 hub hospitals. If chest pain is reported at a spoke hospital, an ECG is sent to a cardiologist at a hub hospital for immediate assessment.
- Quick Treatment: Upon diagnosis, an injection costing ₹4,500 is administered at the spoke hospital if needed, ensuring immediate blood flow to the heart. Patients are then referred to a hub hospital for further care.
These initiatives reflect Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to improving public health through proactive screening and rapid response systems.