New Delhi (Agency): The Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Friday in the Indian Parliament that studies are underway to probe sudden death cases in young people following COVID-19 recovery. While there have been reports of such instances, there is insufficient evidence to confirm the cause at present.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is conducting three distinct studies to shed light on the increasing cases of cardiac arrest witnessed after the pandemic. Mandaviya made these comments while responding to a question raised in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament.
The first study is a multi-centric matched case control investigation. This study aims to identify factors linked with sudden deaths among adults aged 18 to 45 in India. It is currently underway at approximately 40 hospitals and research centers across the country.
The second research initiative, also a multi-centric hospital-based matched case control study, is being conducted at about 30 COVID-19 clinical registry hospitals. The study seeks to determine the effect of the COVID-19 vaccine on thrombotic events among the population aged 18 to 45 in 2022.
Lastly, the third study is set to identify the cause of sudden, unexplained deaths in young people through both virtual and physical autopsies.
Addressing cardiovascular health-related issues, the Department of Health and Family Welfare offers technical and financial support to states and Union Territories under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). Cardiovascular disease is a crucial part of the NP-NCD program, which includes enhancing infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion, population-based screening for people aged 30 and above under the Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre, and early diagnosis and management.
The NP-NCD has established 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. Patients with cardiovascular diseases receive treatment at various healthcare facilities, including medical colleges, central institutes like AIIMS, central government and private sector hospitals.
The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana focuses on cardiovascular diseases in the context of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions. To facilitate affordable health care and treatment, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) provides health insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary or tertiary care hospitalization to over 60 crore beneficiaries.
The government also offers financial assistance to families living below the poverty line for treatment in government hospitals under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi scheme. Moreover, quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, in collaboration with the state governments.
Finally, Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions to provide cardiovascular drugs at a significant discount compared to their maximum retail price.