Over 20 people died of heart attack in Hassan district of Karnataka in a month. Those who died of heart attack include young people between 18 and 40 years of age.
Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has ordered an investigation into this.
This investigation will be conducted under the leadership of Dr Ravindranath, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research. The panel has been directed to submit a detailed report within 10 days.
The Health Minister said, "As soon as we came to know about this, we ordered an investigation. We want to know what is the reason behind this?"
He said, "18 people have died of heart attack in a month. It is worrying that so many deaths have occurred due to heart attack in a single district. All these deaths have occurred in the same district, Hassan."
Chief minister Siddaramaiah said the govt would take firm action based on the findings of an expert committee district.
Siddaramaiah said more than 20 people have died of heart attack in Hassan in just one month, prompting the urgent formation of the panel. "The govt is taking this matter very seriously. To identify the exact cause of this series of deaths and to find solutions, a committee of experts has been formed," he added.
He urged the public not to ignore symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath and to visit the nearest health centre immediately.
Hasty approval of Covid-19 vaccines could also be a reason
He also accused BJP leaders of politicising the issue. "It can't be denied that the hasty approval and distribution of Covid-19 vaccines to the public could also be a reason for these deaths, as several studies worldwide have recently indicated that Covid vaccines could be a cause of the increasing number of heart attacks. Before the BJP criticises us on this matter, they should ask their own conscience," he added.
The govt revealed it would consider declaring cardiac arrest cases as notifiable diseases after receiving a report from the expert committee probing the Hassan deaths.
Responding to repeated instances of death due to cardiac arrest among youngsters, health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said the committee is already tasked with the responsibility of ascertaining the details. "The committee will submit a report within 10 days, and based on it, we will consider whether to notify cardiac cases as notifiable diseases," the health minister said.
Prakash Kumar Pandey