Masina Heart Institute Launches India’s First Portable Advanced Cardiac Care Unit For Heart Patients During Pandemic

Masina Heart Institute, a venture of the century-old Masina Hospital, known for its commitment to provide affordable healthcare, recently installed a pre-fabricated, transportable ICU (Intensive Care Unit) by Philips. Inaugurated by Yashwant Jadhav – Chairman, BMC Standing Committee; Yamini Jadhav – MLA, Byculla and Sonam Jamsutkar – Corporator, this installation will be used as an Advanced Cardiac Care Unit (ACCU), aimed towards treating cardiac patients in a completely COVID-safe environment, without the possibility of getting infected.

Launched on the 4th of November, 2020, the ACCU has been installed in an open space in order to provide independent cubicles with fresh air cycles, an HVAC system and a self-disinfecting washroom facility to prevent the possibility of infections to the heart patients. It will provide safety against COVID and cross contamination in patients, while offering all the required facilities for an ICU. Headed by Dr. Zainulabedin Hamdulay, patients will be under the treatment of consultants, intensivists and the dedicated nursing staff.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Vispi Jokhi, CEO, Masina Hospital, said, “COVID has created a very critical condition, where the non-COVID heart patients are rather unwilling to visit a hospital for their treatment due to the fear of infection. A slight delay in their treatment can result in unfortunate results, and considering the same, this specialised ICU unit from Philips will ensure the safe treatment of heart patients. This unit will enable us to provide intensive care to patients without being in direct contact with the main hospital and prevent infections.”

The presence of this advanced ACCU and the availability of a Cardiac ambulance service from Masina hospital will ensure that the patients from the Parsi community in the neighbourhood, South Mumbai, Lalbaug, Parel Dadar, Mahim, Bandra and those upto Sion and Chembur can be reached through this cardiac ambulance service. The endeavour is that the patient reaches the hospital from the home to the hospital within the golden hour. 

Dr. Hamdulay, Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Chairman, Masina Heart Institute, said, “Under this ACCU, we have nine self-sufficient and independent anti-bacterial, independent HVAC system (Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) approved by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) cubicles with critical care and monitoring support. The unit is equipped with independent high-end medical gas air compressors, vacuum pumps and oxygen manifold, ventilators, defibrillator, nursing station and storage area. For COVID positive lung or heart failure patients, all the necessary acute ECMO services will be provided under this unit, even a COVID positive patient with an acute heart attack can be given emergency treatment in this unit without affecting other patients.” 

MLA Yamini Jadhav commended the approach and the efforts of the hospital on the installation of the ACCu, saying, “This certainly will aid the patients in the city and with its replication across the states, will add to the overall healthcare system of India.” And Masina Hospital’s Joint CEO, Behram Khodaiji added, “Masina Hospital has risen to the challenge of providing Covid and Non-Covid services effectively in the last eight months of the Pandemic. Having acquired Pre-NABH accreditation, the hospital will be provide high-standard and quality care to patients”

Masina Heart Institute has been taking essential steps to provide safe and complete intensive care to patients during the pandemic, as they are more vulnerable to catching the infection. This state-of-the-art unit, which has been installed for the first time in India, will prove as a lifesaver for patients dealing with severe cardiac ailments amidst the pandemic. 


For Emergencies, Call: 98333 33611. This number is linked to the Golden Hour Ambulance Service.


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