The Heart Care Foundation an NGO working in the field of heart care have all along been lending a helping hand for heart patients and their welfare. However, taking into consideration the exponential growth in the number of Cardio Vascular Disease (CVD) patients in the state of Kerala it has forced us to look into the possibility of preventing CVD through early detection and by awareness creation instead of waiting for them to become a CVD patient. This prompted the Foundation to embark on a project like this. Most of the people are not aware of the fact that Kerala is leading other states in most number of CVD cases. A joint study conducted in 2018 by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), and Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has found that Kerala ranks with other 2 states with the highest incidence of heart related disease. Hardly any day pass without reading a news item were youngsters in their prime age collapsing and dying due to cardiac arrest. The sad part is that this is happening in their most productive age leaving their family consisting of small children, his wife and elderly parents left to fend for themselves.

We at the Foundation know very well that we have taken up a very challenging at the same time an ambitious & a unique project. The project once implemented will be the first of its kind in the state of Kerala. To start with we have taken up Alangad Grama Panchayath to conduct our pilot study in a three phased program where the risk factors of the people between the age group of 30-60 years would be analyzed and where there are risks involved those people will be advised to take necessary precaution. Once the study is completed and found effective we would like to replicate the same in other Grama Panchayaths. This program in a way would be a unique one where entire Panchayath would be ‘Heart literate’.

Objective:

• Prevention
• Awareness-Heart Literacy
• Early Detection  of Cardio Vascular Disease(CVD)

 Strategy:

The project would be implemented in 3 phases:

First phase: Will hold ward level meetings at all the 21 wards and educate the members of the Kudumbasree/ASHA/Anganavadi and other organization on collection of basic data (on formats designed) from all the households between 30-60 years of age. The volunteers will then personally collect data from all households by visiting them and return the dully filled forms to their respective Ward Members. The Ward Member would then entrust all the forms to Chairperson –CDS.

The data collected would be then analyzed by the Heart Care Foundation Secretariat using appropriate software developed specifically for the purpose of this project.

Second Phase: In the second phase the respondents who are selected from the data analyzed would be called to participate in the medical camp. The 21 wards of the Grama Panchayath would be divided in 4-5 groups and medical camps would be held at a common place convenient to the respective wards. This would be done in consultation with  Ward Members. Prior to attending the medical camp the respondents will be advised to undergo a simple test for FBS, Total Cholesterol and HDL. The respondent would be then examined by cardiologist who will after the examination and going by the test results inform them about the possible risk of cardiac disease and suggest ways and means to overcome the risk and lead an active life.

Third Phase: This phase would be done in consultation with respective Panchayath Committee on implementation of healthy practices for the benefit of the people of respective Panchayath. For example the panchayath  can encourage the citizens to form groups in their respective wards and encourage  walking and other exercises. The panchayath can also start a campaign on anti-tobacco and hold walkathons and mini marathons in the panchayath area .This phase looks at a long term benefit to avoid Cardio Vascular Disease’.

Location:

The project Hridaypoorvam- Alangad will cover the entire Alangad Grama Panchayath, consisting of 21 wards. Each ward consists of approximately 500-600 households.

Beneficiaries:

The project would cover all the people between 30-60 years. This includes both men and women.

Screening Camp Reports - 1

Report of the First Screening Camp-Hridayathoduoppam- Held under the project Hridayapoorvam-Alangad on Saturday December14, 2019 at Neericode Bank Auditorium.

The first screening camp for the benefit of Wards 1 & 2 of the Alangad Grama Panchayath were held on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at Neericode Bank Auditorium. Apart from the participants there were dignitaries associated with the project present for the first screening camp. Ms. Radhamani Jaising President, Alangad Grama Panchayath welcomed all the participants and the dignitaries to the first screening camp. This was followed by a brief address by Dr. Jose Chacko Periappuram Chairman, Heart Care Foundation. Dr Jose reiterated the firm commitment of the Foundation in carrying on with the ambitious project Hridayapoorvam Alangad with the active support of Alangad Grama Panchayth and Co-operative Banks. He also emphasized the need of conducting the screening camps which could benefit the people of Alangad in the long run and exhorted everyone to make use of this opportunity. Mr. M.K Babu, Mr V B Jabbar (Ward Member 1) and Ms. Kanchana Soman (Ward Member 2) felicitated. The Foundation was represented by Dr Jose Chacko Periappuram, Dr Jacob Abraham, Dr Jo Joseph, Mr. Dominic J Mechery and Mr. Stephan Pascal.

After the formal meeting the participants were guided to the counters set up in the hall. On submitting the lab reports the participants were asked a few questions on various health parameters and were then handed over a copy of the Coronary Risk Analysis Report. This was followed by a detailed presentation in Malayalam by Dr Jo Joseph on various aspects of heart condition and the relevance of the report given to the participants and modifications required in their life style. After the detailed presentation the floor was open for queries which were answered by Dr Jo.

Out of 1420 participants who had initially registered under phase1 of the project in both the wards only 408 participants actually gave the blood samples. However, only 133 participants attended the screening camp and received the Coronary Risk Analysis Report.

We would like to place on record our sincere gratitude to Mr. Jolly Pollayil, President Neericode Bank, Mr. Anil Kumar Secretary of Neericode Bank & the Coordinator of project along with the support of Mr. M K Babu, Ms. Radhamani Jaisingh President Alangad Grama Panchayath, Mr. Jabbar, Ms. Kanchana Soman and Ms. Rema Prasannakumar Chairman CDS. We were ably supported by Mr. P. Krishnakumar, Mr. Rajeev and Mr. Deepak for setting up the systems and networking. The volunteers also played a critical role for the conduct of the camp.

The Camp concluded at 1.30 pm, which was followed by a lunch hosted by Neericode Bank.

Screening Camp Report - 2

Report of the Second Screening Camp-Hridayathoduoppam- Held under the project Hridayapoorvam-Alangad on Saturday January 11, 2020 at SNDP Yoga Auditorium, Koduvazhanga.

The second screening camp for the benefit of Wards 3, 4 & 11 of the Alangad Grama Panchayath were held on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at SNDP Yoga Auditorium, Koduvazhanga. The camp started at 2.30pm with Ms. Radhamani Jaising President, Alangad Grama Panchayath welcoming all the participants and the dignitaries to the second screening camp.  Mr. M.K Babu, Mr. K N Unni Vice- President Alangad Grama Panchayath and Ms. Aja Sabu (Ward Member 3) felicitated. Mr. Jose (Ward Member 4) proposed the vote of thanks. Dr Jo Joseph, Mr. Dominic J Mechery and Mr. Stephan Pascal represented the Foundation.

After the formal meeting the participants were guided to the counters set up in the hall. On submitting the lab reports the participants were asked a few questions on various health parameters and were then handed over a copy of the Coronary Risk Analysis Report. This was followed by a detailed presentation in Malayalam by Dr Jo Joseph on various aspects of heart condition and the relevance of the report given to the participants and modifications required in their life style. After the detailed presentation the floor was open for queries which were answered by Dr Jo.

Out of 1956 participants who had initially registered under phase 1 of the project in both the wards only 449 participants actually gave the blood samples. However, only 232 participants attended the screening camp and received the Coronary Risk Analysis Report.

We would like to place on record our sincere gratitude to Mr. Unni Vice - President Alangad Grama Panchayath and the support of Mr. M K Babu, Ms. Radhamani Jaisingh President Alangad Grama Panchayath, Ms. Aja Sabu, Mr Jose and Ms. Rema Prasannakumar Chairman CDS for the successful conduct of the camp. We were ably supported by Mr. P. Krishnakumar, Mr. Rajeev and Mr. Deepak for setting up the systems and networking. The volunteers also played a critical role for the conduct of the camp. The Camp concluded at 5.00 pm.

Screening Camp Report - 3

Report of the Third Screening Camp-Hridayathoduoppam- Held under the project Hridayapoorvam-Alangad on Saturday February 15, 2020 at Government. L P School, Kottapuram.

The third screening camp for the benefit of Wards 5, 6, 7, & 8 of the Alangad Grama Panchayath were held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Goverment L P School, Kottapuram. The camp started at 2.00pm with Mr. P S Jagadeeshan (Ward Member 5) of Alangad Grama Panchayath welcoming all the participants and the dignitaries to the Third screening camp. Ms. Radhamani Jaising President of Alangad Grama Panchayath Mr. M.K Babu, Ms. Geetha Thankappan (Ward Member 6) and Ms. Mini Babu (Ward Member 7) and Ms. Elsa Jacob (Ward Member 8) felicitated. Mr. V A Shamzudeen (Chirangara Residential Association President) proposed the vote of thanks. Dr Jo Joseph, Mr. Dominic J Mechery and Mr. Stephan Pascal represented the Foundation.

After the formal meeting the participants were guided to the counters set up in the hall. On submitting the lab reports the participants were asked a few questions on various health parameters and were then handed over a copy of the Coronary Risk Analysis Report. This was followed by a detailed presentation in Malayalam by Dr Jo Joseph on various aspects of heart condition and the relevance of the report given to the participants and modifications required in their life style. After the detailed presentation the floor was open for queries which were answered by Dr Jo.

Out of 2800 participants who had initially registered under phase 1 of the project. Only 746 participants actually gave the blood samples. However, a total 373 participants attended the screening camp and received the Coronary Risk Analysis Report.
We would like to place on record our sincere gratitude to Mr. P S Jagadeeshan Member of Alangad Grama Panchayath and the support of Mr. M K Babu, Ms.Radhamani Jaisingh President Alangad Grama Panchayath, Ms. Geetha Thankappan, Ms. Mini Babu and Ms. Elsa Jacob for the successful conduct of the camp. We were ably supported by Mr. P. Krishnakumar, Mr. Rajeev and Mr. Deepak for setting up the systems and networking. The volunteers also played a critical role for the conduct of the camp. The Camp concluded at 5.00 pm.