Ranchi: The health department on Monday sent 20 children with congenital heart defect to Amrita Hospital in Kochi for free surgery and comprehensive medical care.Health minister Dr Irfan Ansari said the initiative would provide much-needed relief to children from economically disadvantaged families who cannot afford the high cost of cardiac treatment.“The department has entered into a strategic collaboration with the Kochi-based hospital to provide free treatment to around 100 children. The first batch comprises 20 children,” Ansari said. Such surgeries can cost up to Rs 5 lakh, he added.Under the scheme, the children will receive end-to-end medical support, including pre-operative cardiac screening, diagnostic tests, surgery, medicines, hospital accommodation and meals. State govt will also bear the travel expenses of the children and their guardians.Post-operative follow-ups and health monitoring will continue until the children return home safely. The Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram team is coordinating the programme to ensure care at every stage.Dr R K Singh, nodal officer of the health department’s IEC cell, said 351 children with congenital heart conditions had earlier undergone successful surgeries outside Jharkhand under govt initiatives.The next two batches — comprising 15 and 25 children — will leave for Kochi with medical teams on Sept 8 and Sept 21, respectively, Singh said.
