Date:11/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/11/stories/2009011159760300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Portable electrocardiograph for PHCs

Staff Reporter

— Photo: R. Ragu

HEART HEALTH: An electrocardiogram being taken using the new portable electrocardiograph at the primary health centre in Chintadripet on Saturday.

Chennai: The Chennai Corporation’s Public Health Department has obtained 10 portable electrocardiographs to test patients for heart disease.

Each of the 10 zones in the Corporation will be given a portable electrocardiograph for use in the primary health centres that fall in the zone.

On Saturday, Mayor M. Subramanian gave away the equipment for use in the primary health centres.

The equipment, bought at a total cost of Rs.7.28 lakh, would enable patients to get their electrocardiogram results quickly, he said.

The Mayor also said that the Corporation planned to build new primary health centres in 22 places and work on 16 centres was under progress at a cost of Rs.50 lakh each.

At present, the city has 74 primary health centres and 93 family welfare centres.

The civic body also runs six laboratories.

Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni said that thousands of people died of heart attacks in the city every year.

Periodical checks would help in early diagnosis of heart disease, Mr. Lakhoni said.