Network of Doctors
Anecdote: In 2016, during the arduous Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, a 35-year-old pilgrim suffered a sudden heart attack near the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district. The area, remote and difficult to access, was equipped with only a makeshift medical bay for basic first aid. The on-duty doctor, young and relatively inexperienced in handling cardiac emergencies, was hesitant about administering thrombolysis drugs, a critical intervention required to dissolve blood clots and save the patient’s life. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the doctor reached out to cardiologist Dr. Imran Hafeez at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar over a phone call. Despite being miles away, Dr. Hafeez calmly guided the doctor step-by-step on how to administer the drug and monitor the patient’s response. The intervention proved successful; the patient’s condition stabilized, and he was transferred to SKIMS for further treatment. This timely coordination saved the pilgrim’s life. This incident underscored the importance of real-time medical guidance and planted the seeds for what would later become the Save Heart Foundation, a WhatsApp-based network connecting over 1,200 doctors across J&K. The network ensures that even in remote areas with limited healthcare infrastructure, doctors can access expert advice and provide life-saving treatment within the critical “golden hour.” Since its inception in 2017, this initiative has revolutionized cardiac care in the region, saving over 6,000 lives. This transformative approach highlights how technology and collaboration can bridge healthcare gaps in geographically challenging regions, offering a blueprint for innovation in public health
Anecdote: In 2016, during the arduous Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir, a 35-year-old pilgrim suffered a sudden heart attack near the Baltal base camp in Ganderbal district. The area, remote and difficult to access, was equipped with only a makeshift medical bay for basic first aid. The on-duty doctor, young and relatively inexperienced in handling cardiac emergencies, was hesitant about administering thrombolysis drugs, a critical intervention required to dissolve blood clots and save the patient’s life. Realizing the gravity of the situation, the doctor reached out to cardiologist Dr. Imran Hafeez at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar over a phone call. Despite being miles away, Dr. Hafeez calmly guided the doctor step-by-step on how to administer the drug and monitor the patient’s response. The intervention proved successful; the patient’s condition stabilized, and he was transferred to SKIMS for further treatment. This timely coordination saved the pilgrim’s life. This incident underscored the importance of real-time medical guidance and planted the seeds for what would later become the Save Heart Foundation, a WhatsApp-based network connecting over 1,200 doctors across J&K. The network ensures that even in remote areas with limited healthcare infrastructure, doctors can access expert advice and provide life-saving treatment within the critical “golden hour.” Since its inception in 2017, this initiative has revolutionized cardiac care in the region, saving over 6,000 lives. This transformative approach highlights how technology and collaboration can bridge healthcare gaps in geographically challenging regions, offering a blueprint for innovation in public health