In the bustling state of Karnataka, where rapid urbanization and lifestyle changes have contributed to a alarming rise in cardiovascular diseases, a beacon of hope shines brightly through the Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana. Launched in 2023 by the Karnataka Health Department, this flagship initiative honors the legacy of the beloved Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar, who tragically passed away at the age of 46 due to a cardiac arrest. Often referred to as the "Power Star," Puneeth was not just an actor but a philanthropist whose sudden demise on October 29, 2021, sent shockwaves across the nation, highlighting the silent epidemic of heart attacks, especially among the youth.
As of November 2025, the scheme has evolved into a comprehensive cardiac emergency response program, saving thousands of lives by ensuring timely interventions within the critical "golden hour." With over 7,815 patients receiving advanced treatments and 1,106 lives preserved through clot-busting injections, the Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana stands as a testament to Karnataka's commitment to public health equity. This article delves into the scheme's eligibility criteria, myriad benefits, and the groundbreaking 2025 expansions, offering a roadmap for residents to access this life-saving resource.
The program's relevance has surged amid reports of cardiac arrest deaths tripling from 229 in 2023-24 to 608 in 2024-25, underscoring the need for decentralized, accessible care. In a state where one in five heart attack victims is under 40, attributed to sedentary lifestyles, stress, and poor diets, the scheme's focus on ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) management is nothing short of revolutionary.
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The Genesis: Launch and Puneeth Rajkumar's Enduring Legacy
The Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana was unveiled on October 31, 2023—mere days after the second anniversary of Puneeth's passing—by Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao. This timing was poignant, transforming personal grief into public good. Puneeth, posthumously honored as "Karnataka Ratna," embodied resilience and generosity, donating generously to healthcare causes during his lifetime. The scheme renames the state's existing STEMI management project in his name, ensuring his spirit continues to pulse through every heartbeat saved.
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| Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana |
At its inception, the program targeted the "golden hour"—the 60 minutes following a heart attack when interventions can drastically improve survival rates from a mere 5-10% to over 90%. Drawing from the hub-and-spoke model, it designates taluk-level hospitals as "spokes" for initial triage and super-specialty centers like the Sri Jayadeva Institute as "hubs" for advanced procedures. Complementing this, Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) were installed in public spaces—malls, gyms, and stadiums—to empower bystanders with immediate response tools.
Puneeth's own story adds emotional depth. His workout-induced cardiac event exposed gaps in emergency cardiac care, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas. The scheme addresses this by integrating AI-driven diagnostics, which analyze ECGs in under five minutes to flag critical cases for free Tenecteplase injections—clot-dissolving drugs that have become a cornerstone of the program. By 2025, this initiative has not only honored a icon but also set a national benchmark, inspiring similar efforts in other states.
Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana Highlights
| Launch | Oct 31, 2023 – In memory of Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar |
| Focus | STEMI (Heart Attack) – Golden Hour Care |
| 2025 Coverage | All 236 Taluk Hospitals (Full rollout by Dec) |
| Free Services | ECG, Clot-buster, Ambulance, Angioplasty |
| Lives Treated | 7,815+ patients since 2023 |
| Clot-buster Injections | 1,106 lives saved |
| ECGs Done | 9.21 lakh (till Sep 2025) |
| Survival Rate | 85%+ |
| Ambulances | 81 cardiac-equipped |
| AEDs Installed | 500+ (Target: 1,000 by 2025) |
| Eligibility | All Karnataka residents; BPL fully free |
| Emergency Access | Dial 108 → Nearest taluk hospital |
| Hub Centers | Sri Jayadeva Institute & major govt hospitals |
Karnataka Free Laptop Scheme
How the Scheme Operates: A Lifeline in the Golden Hour
The Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana operates on a multi-tiered framework designed for speed and accessibility. At the community level, awareness campaigns promote recognizing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and arm discomfort, urging immediate calls to the 108 ambulance service. Upon arrival at a spoke hospital, patients undergo rapid ECG screening. If STEMI is detected, thrombolytic therapy commences on-site, buying time for transfer to a hub for angioplasty or stenting.
Integration with the Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka scheme ensures seamless coverage, with digital linkages for real-time tracking. Tele-ECG technology, now expanded via the Heartline program in regions like Kalyana Karnataka, allows remote consultations, reducing urban-rural disparities. In 2025, the fleet of cardiac-equipped ambulances has grown to 81 in key districts, equipped with portable defibrillators and oxygen supplies.
Public engagement is key: CPR training modules in schools, gyms, and workplaces have trained over 50,000 citizens since 2023, fostering a "heart-safe" society. AED installations, now mandatory in high-footfall venues, come with voice-guided instructions, making them user-friendly even for novices. This holistic approach ensures the scheme isn't just reactive but preventive, aligning with Karnataka's broader health goals.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Access This Lifesaver?
Accessibility is the scheme's hallmark, with broad eligibility ensuring no one is left behind in a cardiac crisis. Primarily, Karnataka residents diagnosed with STEMI or acute coronary syndromes qualify, regardless of age or socioeconomic status. However, priority access is granted to vulnerable groups:
- BPL Cardholders: Below Poverty Line families receive fully free treatment, including diagnostics, thrombolysis, and procedures at hubs.
- APL Beneficiaries: Above Poverty Line individuals covered under Arogya Karnataka can avail cashless services up to scheme limits, typically ₹5 lakh per family annually.
- Youth and High-Risk Groups: In 2025, mandatory screenings for those under 45, especially in corporate settings, make early detection seamless. No prior enrollment is needed; presenting at a spoke hospital triggers automatic inclusion.
Exclusions are minimal: Medico-legal cases or non-residents may face out-of-pocket costs, but emergencies are handled first. Documents required include Aadhaar, ration card, or any ID proof for verification. For families, dependent cards under Ayushman Bharat suffice. This inclusive policy has democratized cardiac care, with rural uptake rising 40% since launch.
To apply in an emergency, dial 108 or visit the nearest taluk hospital. Post-treatment, status checks via the Seva Sindhu portal (under development for full integration) provide updates. As Health Minister Rao emphasizes, "This is for every Kannadiga heartbeat."
Benefits: Beyond Treatment, A Second Chance at Life
The scheme's benefits extend far beyond immediate survival, offering financial relief, advanced care, and preventive tools. Key advantages include:
- Free Emergency Interventions: Thrombolysis with Tenecteplase, ECGs, and ambulance transfers at no cost, saving families ₹50,000-₹2 lakh per episode.
- Comprehensive Procedures: Cashless access to angioplasty, stenting, and CABG at hubs, with follow-up rehab included.
- Preventive Screening: Over 9.21 lakh ECGs conducted by September 2025, identifying 13,515 STEMI cases early.
- Public AED Network: 500+ devices installed, reducing out-of-hospital deaths by 30% in pilot areas.
For beneficiaries like Ravi Kumar, a 38-year-old farmer from Hassan who survived a 2024 STEMI thanks to on-site injection, the scheme means "a debt-free recovery and return to fields." Economically, it alleviates the burden on public hospitals, freeing resources for other ailments. Socially, it empowers women and youth, with female participation in screenings up 25% in 2025.
2025 Expansion Updates: Scaling Up for Statewide Coverage
The year 2025 marks a pivotal expansion, transforming the scheme from a pilot to a pan-Karnataka lifeline. Announced by Minister Rao in July, the program will roll out to all 236 taluk hospitals by December, up from 86 in 2024. This includes equipping primary health centers with ECG machines and training 5,000 more doctors in thrombolysis.
In September 2025, the Heartline initiative launched in Kalyana Karnataka, deploying 32 new ambulances and tele-ECG hubs in seven districts, targeting rural hotspots where delays claim 70% of victims. Statewide, AEDs will reach 1,000 public sites, including schools and IT parks, with AI upgrades for predictive analytics.
Addressing youth vulnerabilities, screenings for ages 15+ began in August, integrated with corporate mandates for annual check-ups. A July 2025 probe in Hassan ruled out COVID links but flagged lifestyle risks, prompting CPR drives in 1,000 institutions. Budget allocation has doubled to ₹200 crore, ensuring sustainability. These updates promise a 50% drop in cardiac mortality by 2026, per departmental projections.
Success Stories: Hearts Rekindled
Real lives illuminate the scheme's impact. In Dharwad, 52-year-old teacher Lakshmi received thrombolysis within 45 minutes in March 2024, crediting the scheme for her classroom return. Youth beneficiary Arjun, a 28-year-old engineer from Bengaluru, survived a gym collapse in 2025 thanks to an AED and hub transfer. "Puneeth Anna's light guided me back," he shares.
Collectively, 7,815 cardiac complication cases treated since March 2023 boast an 85% survival rate—far above national averages. These narratives fuel advocacy, with families volunteering for awareness drives.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite triumphs, hurdles persist: Rural doctor shortages and AED maintenance lag. The 2025 expansion addresses this via 2,000 MBBS recruitments. Data gaps on non-notifiable deaths are closing, with cardiac events now mandatory reports for under-45s. Future plans include AI for risk prediction and integration with national PM-JAY for seamless scaling.
Conclusion: Igniting Hope for Every Heartbeat
The Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana 2025 exemplifies compassionate governance, turning tragedy into triumph. With inclusive eligibility, tangible benefits, and ambitious expansions, it safeguards Karnataka’s most vital asset—its people. As Minister Rao notes, “No family should lose a loved one to a preventable heartbeat.”
The numbers speak volumes: 7,815 lives touched, 1,106 clot-busting miracles, 9.21 lakh ECGs, and a survival rate soaring past 85%. Yet the true measure lies in the stories—farmers back in fields, teachers at blackboards, engineers coding again, and children hugging parents who once slipped away in the golden hour.
By December 2025, every taluk hospital will pulse with STEMI readiness; every 108 ambulance will race with purpose; every public corner will hold an AED whispering, “You are not alone.” This is not just policy—it is a promise etched in Puneeth Rajkumar’s name: that no Kannadiga will face a heart attack unarmed.
So, Karnataka, rise to the call. Learn the signs. Train in CPR. Demand your check-up. Dial 108 without hesitation. Let the light of Hrudaya Jyoti burn brighter than fear, for in the words Puneeth lived by, “Life is a gift—cherish it.” This scheme ensures every heartbeat gets the chance to do just that.
FAQ: Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana 2025
Q. What is Hrudaya Jyoti Yojana?
Free emergency cardiac care scheme in Karnataka for STEMI heart attacks, launched in 2023 to honor Puneeth Rajkumar.
Q. Who is eligible?
All Karnataka residents with STEMI; fully free for BPL, cashless under Arogya Karnataka for others.
Q. How to access in emergency?
Call 108 → Reach nearest taluk hospital → Get ECG & free injection → Transfer to hub if needed.
Q. Is treatment free?
Yes—ECG, clot-buster drug, ambulance, angioplasty—all free/cashless at govt facilities.
Q. Which hospitals are covered in 2025?
All 236 taluk hospitals + Jayadeva Institute hubs; full rollout by Dec 2025.
Q. Can non-residents avail?
Emergency care given first; billing applies later for non-Karnataka residents.
Q. What documents needed?
Aadhaar, ration card, or any ID; no prior registration required.
Q. How many lives saved?
7,815 treated, 1,106 via clot-buster, 85%+ survival rate since 2023.
Q. Are AEDs available publicly?
Yes—500+ in malls, gyms, schools; 1,000 by 2025.10. How to check status?
Visit Seva Sindhu portal or call 108 helpline post-treatment.