T’puram: Govt will provide free Troponin-T tests to people from BPL families to facilitate early detection of heart attacks, said health minister K Muraleedharan after inaugurating Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology’s World Heart Day celebrations on Tuesday.“The initiative aims to ensure effective cardiac screening for economically-disadvantaged sections. ECG and other routine tests may not always provide conclusive results and Troponin-T test can help detect heart attacks at an early stage. Ensuring everyone’s protection is govt’s responsibility,” he said, adding that medical camps conducted by private hospitals often remain inaccessible to the poor.Muraleedharan said govt will encourage medical camps specifically targeting disadvantaged communities. He urged people to make use of such camps organised in their neighbourhoods and stressed the importance of early diagnosis. He assured that govt would ensure the availability of medicines and will not allow anyone to collect commissions in connection with medicine purchases.The minister said govt’s broader objective was to build a healthier Kerala and stressed the importance of nutritious food, clean air and regular exercise, while cautioning against excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. He said the public had actively supported Operation Toofan, govt’s campaign against drug abuse. Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute director Dr Sanjay Behari presided over the function.
