EDITORIAL

A Dream for the Decade

"All means prove but a blunt instrument, if the3i have not behind them a living spirit. But if the longing for the achievement of the goal is powerfully alive within us, then we shall not lack the strength, to find the means for reaching the goal and for translating it into deeds"

ALBERT EINSTEIN

Contributions on satellite cardiac surgery centre and KISS (Keep It Simple and Safe) approach to open heartsurgery in this issue, reflect the concern to provide cardiovascular care for all by 2000 AD.

Each primary health centre in the country needs to have an ECG recorder with monitor, defibrillator, resuscitation equipment including a Boyle's machine and preferably a respirator. Necessary drugs should be available. One needs to ensure that the medical student is trained to use these equipment and interpret the data. Ambulance should be available to transfer critically ill patients after resuscitation to the nearest district hospital

Each district hospital needs to have fully-equipped intensive care ward with at least six beds and respirat0rs, monitors, blood gas and electrolyte analyser, The diagnostic equipment should inlcude Doppler ultra-souiad imaging system and x-ray unit with an image intensifier. The operation theatre needs to be equipped for dosed cardiac surgery and thoracic Surgery with the ~ a l staff backed by a visiting team from the nearest ~eaching hospital.

Each medical college needs to have at least one r catheterisation laboratory and two operation ~tlleatres exclusively for cardiothoracic surgery, fully equipped for all varieties of open heart surgery.

The premier medical college should have nuclear magnetic imaging equipment and should gear up for neonatal and paediatric cardiothoracic surgery and transplantation.

With hardly ten years to go, clear vision and combined efforts of all concerned are necessary to achieve the target. With many other pressing demands the government alone would not be able to fund this venture. A concerted effort of both govemment and non-government agencies will bear fruit.

EDITOR