Leading Ramaiah hospital group here on Wednesday unveiled a novel initiative -- HeartRescue India -- to treat cardiac attacks and save lives across the country.
Touted as a first-of-its-kind initiative, the $4.4-million (Rs.28 crore) collaborative effort is funded by the US-based Medtronic Philanthropy and partnered by University of Illinois which have city-based M.S. Ramaiah medical college, M.S. Ramaiah memorial hospital, and MSR advanced learning centre of the Ramaiah group as its local partners.
The hospital group said HeartRescue's principal goal is to minimise critical delay for the treatment and save lives.
India has the largest number of cardiovascular patients, with a whopping 45 lakh deaths annually while many of the affected wait for quick help to save their lives, it pointed out.