Lok Sabha Question No. 30 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-21
Subject: Rising cases of Cardiac arrest after Covid-19
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ravindra Kushawaha, Khagen Murmu

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 30 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 21 ST JULY, 2023

## RISING CASES OF CARDIAC ARREST AFTER COVID-19

## †*30. SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA: SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the number of people dying of cardiac attacks have increased across the country after Covid-19;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether higher number of youth/relatively younger people comprise of the total number of deaths due to cardiac arrest/attacks during the last two years;
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the scheme being formulated/proposed to be formulated by the Government to prevent the said disease

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to ( e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 30 FOR 21 ST JULY, 2023

(a) to (e): Sudden deaths have been reported in some youth after COVID-19. However, at present sufficient evidence is not available to confirm the cause of such deaths. To ascertain the facts regarding the apprehension of rising cases of cardiac arrest after COVID-19, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is conducting following three different studies.

1. 'Factors associated with sudden deaths among adults aged 18 - 45 years, India: multicentric matched case control study' ongoing at ~ 40 hospitals/research centers.

2. 'Effect of COVID-19 vaccine on thrombotic events among 18 - 45 years old population in India, 2022: multicentric hospital based matched case control study' ongoing at ~ 30 COVID-19 clinical registry hospitals.

3. 'Establishing the cause in sudden unexplained death in the young', through virtual and physical autopsy

To address the health issues related to Cardiovascular Disease, the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP NCD). Cardiovascular Disease is an integral part of NP NCD. The programme includes the following,

- i. Strengthening infrastructure
- ii. Human resource development
- iii. Health promotion
- iv. Population based screening of 30 years and above population under Ayushman Bharat Health Wellness Centre
- v. Early diagnosis and management
- vi. Referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility

Under NP NCD, 724 District NCD Clinics, 210 District Cardiac Care Units, 326 District Day Care Centres and 6110 Community Health Center NCD Clinics have been set up.

Actions taken by Government in respect of infrastructure are:

-  Cardiovascular Diseases patients are getting treatment at various health facilities in the health care delivery system including Medical Colleges,

Central Institutes like AIIMS, Central Government hospitals, and private sector hospitals.

-  There is also focus on cardiovascular diseases in its various aspects in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY).

To facilitate accessible and affordable healthcare and treatment, the following steps have been taken:-

-  Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary or tertiary care hospitalization to over 60 cr. beneficiaries is provided. The treatment packages under AB-PMJAY are very comprehensive covering various treatment related aspects such as drugs and diagnostic services.
-  Under the umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), financial assistance is provided to families living below threshold poverty line for their treatment in Government hospitals.
-  Besides, quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all, under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State Governments.
-  Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions, with an objective to make available cardiovascular drugs at a substantial discount vis-à-vis the Maximum Retail Price.