Mr. ABC, a 55-year-old male patient, is brought to the Emergency Department of a busy private-sector hospital at midnight. A quick examination and an ECG reveal that he is going through a major heart attack. As the heart attack is ongoing, an emergency Angioplasty, known as Primary Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (or PAMI) would save his life and also save the heart muscle that is in the process of dying. The Cardiologist is available, and the Cath Lab can be activated within a few minutes.
But can the patient and his relatives afford the procedure? It could cost upwards of Rs. 2 Lacs, since it involves a Coronary Angiography, followed by insertion of a stent, or perhaps 2 stents, plus a stay of at least three days in the ICU. The doctor on duty calls up the CEO/Medical Director/ Medical Superintendent and asks: What shall we do? The person who has to make this extremely difficult…
