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Nine in 1000 children are born with congenital heart abnormality. Unless
corrected, mostly surgically and sometimes by catheter intervention,
these children live a handicapped life and die at an early age. Eight
out of ten such children can lead a normal life if timely correction is
done. The treatment costs between Rs.
75,000 to Rs. 2,00,000 depending upon the complexity of the abnormality.
As most of such children come from poor families, parents are not in a
position to afford the treatment and there is little being done in this
area. A societal initiative is essential to save these children. In July
2003, H.E. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, The President of India, offered a
personal donation of Rs. 100,000 to CARE Foundation to initiate a
Project in this area. The Project is named as Little Heart Project. The
primary aim of the project is to channel the goodwill of people, NGO’s
and Institutions towards needy children.
In these cases, an integrated team of paediatric cardiologists,
paediatric cardiothoracic surgeons, and specially trained paramedics is
essential to ensure good outcome. Also, specially created facilities are
involved to operate and to protect the little patients from infections.
Only about 10 Centres in the country have the necessary infrastructure
and expertise in this area.
The CARE Hospital has created all required facilities and an exclusive
paediatric ward. The all-inclusive package cost price of a typical
surgical procedure is Rs. 1,10,000. The CARE Hospital has subsidised it
to Rs. 90,000 for such cases and also offered free diagnostic tests,
such as X-Ray, ECG, Echocardiography, Blood examination, etc. and
consultation. The existing PMRF and CMRF schemes can provide Rs. 45,000.
The remainder of Rs. 45,000 or more, if required, will be covered out of
the donations received. The Rotary International has come forward to
offer Rs. 25,000 per child on a selective basis (based on their
Criteria).
A 5-member committee of prominent citizens have been constituted under
the chairmanship of Justice Shri B P Jeevan Reddy to oversee the
Project and ensure delivery of high quality treatment to the patients
and proper utilisation of project funds.
President A P J Kalam was the first donor to the Little heart
Foundation
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