Punjab Expands STEMI Project Statewide, Saves 583 Lives in Pilot Phase with Free Heart Attack Treatment
Punjab’s Life-Saving STEMI Project Goes Statewide After Saving 583 Lives in Pilot Phase
CHANDIGARH, July 1, 2025: Marking National Doctors’ Day, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh launched the statewide rollout of the Punjab STEMI Project, a pioneering initiative aimed at saving lives during heart attacks by providing free clot-busting thrombolysis treatment across all district and sub-divisional hospitals.
Known as “Mission Amrit” (Acute Myocardial Reperfusion In Time), the project focuses on the early detection and timely treatment of ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), the deadliest form of heart attack. The project leverages a Hub-and-Spoke model, linking peripheral hospitals with advanced cardiac centers to facilitate expert-guided, rapid response treatment.
583 Lives Saved in Pilot Phase
The pilot phase of the project, initially launched in Ludhiana and Patiala, later expanded to 11 districts, screened over 14,000 patients. Out of 1,305 confirmed STEMI cases, 583 patients received life-saving thrombolysis at government hospitals before being referred to tertiary centers for further treatment.
According to Dr Balbir Singh, the Tenecteplase injection, worth nearly ₹30,000, is now being provided free of cost to STEMI patients across all 23 districts of Punjab, thanks to government funding. The treatment dissolves clots in heart arteries, restoring blood flow during the crucial Golden Hour, dramatically improving survival rates.
Bridging the Time Gap with Hub-and-Spoke Model
The STEMI Project addresses a critical issue in cardiac care — delayed intervention. Many patients in Punjab historically reached healthcare facilities 2–3 hours after the onset of chest pain, often missing the therapeutic window for effective treatment.
To overcome this, the project connects District and Sub-Divisional Hospitals (Spokes) with six tertiary hospitals (Hubs), including:
- DMCH Ludhiana
- GMCH-32 Chandigarh
- Government Medical Colleges of Patiala, Faridkot, Amritsar
- AIIMS Bathinda
Through tele-ECG technology, cardiologists from these Hubs can guide Spoke hospitals in real-time for immediate thrombolysis, ensuring no time is lost in diagnosis or drug administration.
Capacity Building and Technology Integration
Over 700 healthcare workers, including medical officers, specialists, and nurses, have been trained by a cardiology team led by Dr Bishav Mohan from DMCH Ludhiana. These professionals now staff fully-equipped emergency rooms with ECG machines and defibrillators in every district hospital, making advanced cardiac care accessible even in remote areas.
Dr Mohan emphasized the importance of public awareness, noting that heart attack symptoms are often mistaken for indigestion. “Prompt recognition and treatment are vital. Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in India,” he said.
Public Health Milestone on National Doctors’ Day
Calling the launch a monumental day for Punjab’s public health, Dr Balbir Singh noted that the success of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) pilot in SAS Nagar Mohali and Ludhiana laid the groundwork for this statewide expansion.
“This initiative proves our commitment to ensure every citizen, no matter their location, gets timely and expert care in the event of a heart attack,” he said.
During the ceremony, 12 doctors who successfully administered thrombolysis within the golden hour were felicitated for their contributions.
What is STEMI?
ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is a serious type of heart attack caused by a complete blockage of a major coronary artery. Rapid treatment through thrombolysis (clot-busting drugs) or angioplasty is essential to minimize heart muscle damage and reduce the risk of complications or death.