Visakhapatnam, Pratiphalan Media
Five tribal children from Odisha, battling rare congenital heart defects, have been given a new lease of life thanks to the Central Government’s National Child Health Programme (Bala swastya yojana). The complex surgeries, which are otherwise unaffordable for poor families, were conducted free of cost at Medicover Hospital, Visakhapatnam.
A team of seven doctors, all are working in Medicover Hospital Visakhapatnam, carried out the life-saving procedures. The team was led by Odia doctor renowned heart specialist Dr. Karunakar Padhi, supported by Dr. Sujit Kumar Mahanti, M. Vipul, C. Naga Sujit, Krishna Prashant, A. Ashok Kumar Raju, and Dr. Arun Kumar Chapa. Their coordinated effort has drawn praise both from the medical fraternity and from grateful families.
Congenital heart disease in tribal regions
Doctors explained that congenital heart disease, though rare, is a serious condition that affects about 8 in every 1,000 newborns. The problem is more frequently reported in tribal belts of Odisha, including Koraput and Kalahandi.
“Malnutrition during pregnancy and lack of timely medical care often lead to underdeveloped hearts in newborns,” Dr. Padhi said. “If left untreated, this condition can cause premature deaths in infants.”
High cost of treatment
Cardiac surgery for children is considered one of the costliest medical procedures in India, making it almost impossible for poor tribal families to afford. “The expense of such operations runs into lakhs of rupees,” Dr. Padhi explained. “Through the National Child Health Programme and Ayushman Bharat, these children were treated free of cost. This is a huge relief for families who had lost all hope.”
Parents express gratitude
The five children, hailing from Koraput and Kalahandi, were identified by government health workers and referred for advanced treatment. Their parents, who admitted they could never have arranged for such costly surgeries, expressed gratitude towards both the doctors and the government.
“This scheme has saved our children from certain death. It has given them a second life,” one parent said, holding back tears.
Successful outcome
According to hospital officials, all five children are responding well to treatment. They are currently under observation and will be discharged in a few days.
The successful operations have been widely hailed as a model example of how government initiatives, when combined with dedicated medical expertise, can save lives in remote and vulnerable communities.
