Experts to people: Invest in health, avail govt schemes

Patna: Experts at the 4th annual conference of the Bihar Interventional Council (BIC-2026), organised under the aegis of the CSI Bihar chapter, urged people to invest in their health and make full use of govt healthcare schemes.

They also stressed the need to improve cardiac health awareness in Bihar, advocating the inclusion of basic heart health education in school curricula.The two-day conference, which concluded in Patna on Sunday, brought together leading medical experts from across India and Nepal to discuss advances in interventional cardiology and ways to improve patient outcomes.Delivering the Dr Prabhat Kumar Memorial Oration, veteran interventional cardiologist Dr Vijay Trehan traced the evolution of interventional cardiology in India and called on people to view healthcare as an investment rather than an expense.While acknowledging that interventional cardiology procedures are often costlier than open-heart surgeries, Dr Trehan said their lower risk and better outcomes justify the expenditure. “Less traumatic to the body but more traumatic to the pocket. People must invest in health insurance, while economically weaker sections should avail themselves of govt healthcare schemes,” he said.He added that Bihar currently has an adequate number of interventional cardiologists to cater to patients’ needs and encouraged greater acceptance of newer interventional procedures.

Highlighting the need for better health literacy, Dr Trehan proposed introducing basic cardiac health education at the school level through interactive activities such as quizzes and skits. He said awareness of heart attack symptoms and the importance of seeking immediate medical attention could significantly improve outcomes, as the first line of treatment begins with timely recognition of symptoms.Organising secretary Dr Shamshad Alam said the conference aimed to disseminate knowledge about the latest developments in cardiac intervention and provide a platform for skill enhancement.Scientific sessions focused on emerging technologies such as wireless and leadless pacemakers for treating heart blockages. Experts said these devices offer greater convenience by eliminating internal wires and reducing long-term complications such as endocarditis.Other discussions covered conduction system pacing for arrhythmia prevention and advanced carotid artery stenting techniques for managing blockages in arteries supplying blood to the brain.During the valedictory function, CSI Bihar chapter president Dr Sanjeev Kumar and secretary Dr Ashok Kumar honoured members of the organising team. Dr Shamshad Alam and organising chairman Dr Pramod Kumar were recognised for their efforts in successfully conducting the conference.