Jamshedpur: Satya Ranjan Mallik (79), suffering from arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, had slim chances of survival. But, thanks to doctors in Adityapur, he now has a second life.

A team of cardiac surgeons at Medritina, led by interventional cardiologist Partho Pratim Chowdhury, placed a pacemaker in Mallik's chest on August 13 after they realised that the conduction pathway of his heart was blocked.

"We came to know about the patient, an inmate of a Baradwari old-age home, from another inmate. On August 7, Mallik had to be rushed to MGM Medical College and Hospital after he collapsed at the old age home. As the government hospital is not equipped to cater to such heart patients, he was brought to our hospital. After conducting a series of examinations, we decided to implant a pacemaker," said cluster head of Meditrina Hospital Amitav Chatterjee.

According to Chatterjee, the hospital took the initiative of arranging all the necessary documents like income certificate and residential proof required to complete formalities of availing medical expenses under Mukhya Mantri Gambhir Bimari Yojana. The government-aided scheme is offered to economically backward patients who do not have a BPL or Antyodaya Ration Card and his or her annual income is less than Rs 72,000.

Hospital sources said the cost of the pacemaker was Rs 1.26 lakh. "East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Amit Kumar and civil surgeon Maheshwar Prasad helped us in getting the formalities completed within a week. The patient is recovering and will be discharged tomorrow (Friday)," added Chatterjee.

Dr Partho Pratim Chowdhury said Mallik would now be able to lead a normal life now. "He can easily survive another 10 years without any cardiac complications. He just needs to take the prescribed medicines on time," said the senior cardiac surgeon.

Mallik said he was indebted to the hospital. "The doctors have given me a second chance at life. I don't want to live with regrets."