KIMS opens exclusive cardiac block

Hubballi: Here is good news for patients suffering from cardiac related issues as the newly built cardiology block at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) is all set to start treating the patients in the next few days.
Presently poor patients requiring cardiac surgeries for their heart elements need to visit either Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research(JICSR) in Bengaluru or have to undergo treatment in private hospitals due to lack of facility in KIMS.The new cardiology block established here is expected to deliver quality cardiac care.
KIMS sources said that on an average 500 patients visit the hospital to seek treatment for heart ailments, but despite having the infrastructure and equipment surgeries are not happening, the main reason being lack of cardiothoracic surgeons.
As of now, the hospital has a cath lab, where minor procedures such as inserting stents, pacemaker, coronary angiography, angioplasty, balloon septostomy are being performed.
KIMS director Ramlingappa Antartani said they are planning to appoint cardiothoracic surgeons. At present, KIMS has eight cardiologists. “G+3 block is having world-class infrastructure. We need a few equipment for the block and tenders have been floated in this regard. The new block has ICUs, operation theatres and outpatient department. The new block will have 60 beds. OPD for cardiac patients will also be available in this block,” he said.
The construction of the new cardiology block started in 2010, but work came to a halt for some reasons. The work resumed in 2012 and completed a few months ago.
Sanjay Lokappanavar, 60, from Annigeri said he underwent a heart valve replacement surgery at a private hospital in Hubballi and spent around Rs 8 lakh for the procedure. If the facility comes up at KIMS, patients will not have to spend so much and it will benefit for people in the districts of North Karnataka, he added.