Soon, alternative medicine and two-wheeler emergency care units may be used to tackle cardiovascular disease – the world’s largest killer.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the disease accounted for 30 per cent of deaths around the globe in 2013.

A team of medical professionals from India and the USA have come up with the dual approach.

“Since cardiovascular disease is a lifestyle disease, it can be prevented with the right diet and lifestyle. Alternative medicine, that is the use of herbs, naturally derived materials and non-pharmacological tools, has demonstrated significant benefits in prevention of cardiac diseases directly or indirectly,” said Dr Naresh Shetty, president, M S Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, at a symposium held here on Wednesday.

The MS Ramaiah Medical College (MSRMC), Narayana Health, The Institute of Trans Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology and University of Illinois have taken the initiative to partner with the local community, clinics, and community health workers to provide mobile healthcare services to patients using two-wheelers.

“Traffic and accessibility to the patient is critical in emergency situations. We have proposed the two-wheeler model of emergency care so that the paramedic can carry the required medicine and equipment to the patient,” said Dr Arunachala Ramesh, head of the department of emergency medicine at MSRMC.

“The focus is to develop preventive emergency medicine strategies for highest risk individuals. Patients identified in the highest risk category will receive more intensive healthcare that utilises ambulance, paramedics and health worker home visits,” Dr Shetty explained.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Express News Service – Bangalore / January 09th, 2014