As part of the initiative to set up advanced cardiac healthcare facilities in the rural areas, renowned cardiac surgeon Padmasree Dr KM Cherian's Frontier Lifeline Pvt. Ltd., Chennai has tied up with a central Kerala hospital to start an advanced cardiac care unit integrated with a rural specialty hospital.

The St Gregorios Cardio Vascular Centre, started recently at the St Gregorios Hospital, Parumala near Thiruvalla in Kerala, has an advanced catheterization laboratory with facilities for angioplasty, angiogram, stenting and valvuloplasty. The centre has an advanced 24-hour cardiac care unit, and separate facilities to cure chronic heart ailments of children without surgery.

According to hospital sources, the centre has sourced services of expert cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, intensive care specialists and paramedical staff from various parts of the country. The centre has made available services of expert cardiac surgeons from different parts of the world on a regular basis, thanks to the efforts of Dr KM Cherian, said sources.

According to Dr Cherian, the centre was started at the St Gregorios Hospital with a mission to make available advanced cardiac care infrastructure even in rural villages. Thanks to the growth of medical care facilities and efforts of expert professionals, the rate of deaths due to cardiac problems have been reduced considerably. However, most of the advanced cardiac care facilities currently available in the country are confined only to large and medium cities. With centres like the St Gregorios Cardio Vascular Centre, advanced cardiac care facilities can be extended to the doorsteps of people even in rural villages, noted Dr KM Cherian.

The Kerala chief minister AK Antony inaugurated the centre two weeks ago, and Umman Chandy, Kerala United Democratic Front convener, inaugurated the Colour Doppler and Treadmill. MM Hassan, Kerala minister for Parliamentary Affairs, inaugurated the Catheterization laboratory.

It is to be noted Dr KM Cherian started a Rs.25 crore exclusive International Cardiac Care Specialty Unit and Research Centre in Chennai last week.