'30,000 children of State suffering from CHD'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 01 2017: A joint press conference on RBSK – Shija Children Heart Beat (1st Phase) was held today at the auditorium of Shija Hospitals.

It was chaired by Dr K Rajo, Director of Health Services, Dr Kh Palin, Chairman cum Managing Director and Dr Jugindra S, Medical Superintendent of Shija Hospitals .

In his introductory speech, Dr Palin said that a 4-day camp on non-operative closure of holes in the heart of children was organized by Shija Heart Beat from October 22 to 25 at Shija Hospitals in collaboration with State Health Society, Government of Manipur under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), a National Rural Health Mission programme aiming at early identification and early intervention for children from birth to 18 years who are born with holes in the heart, a congenital heart disease (CHD) .

Altogether 10 children were treated non-operatively during the camp.

The procedures were performed by Dr R Prem Sekar from Chennai, MRCP (Ireland), FRCP (Glasgow), who is one of the leading top 15 paediatric interventional cardiologists in the country and who has been practicing for more than 20 years .

The procedures were performed using one of the latest Phillips Cath Lab installed at Shija Hospitals.

Major chunk of the treatment cost was sponsored by State Health Society and an additional amount of Rs.30,000 was borne by the family of the patient.

However, this additional amount for the 11 procedures (ASD-4, VSD-5 and PDA-2) done on the 10 children during RBSK- Shija Children Heart Beat (1st Phase) was completely sponsored by Shija Foundation, an NGO due to in-afford-ability of the parents, elaborated .

He said that 1% of the population is estimated to have holes in the heart and with a population of around 28 lakh in Manipur according to 2011 census report, nearly 30,000 children are suffering with heart defects from birth and 30% of them require intervention .

So more than 9000 children will require treatment, he added.

He further said that the next camp will be held from November 27 to 30 with a targeted number of 20 patients .

He also appealed to all the MLAs, Ministers, Members of Parliament, organisations and social activists of the State to come forward and extend financial assistance (Rs 30,000 per patient) so that the poor children born with congenital heart disease from their respective constituencies are able to avail treatment under RBSK- Shija Children Heart Beat program and lead normal lives like other healthy children in the society .

A short video clipping on the non-operative interventional procedures performed by Dr R Prem Sekar was also shown during the press conference .

Representing State Health Society, Dr K Rajo said that RBSK is an initiative keenly taken up by the Government of Manipur under the guidance of NRHM .

He also said that the Directorate of Health Services is putting all efforts to improve the health care delivery system especially in the hills .

Impressed by the well equipped infrastructure and facilities available at Shija Hospitals, he assured to extend all possible support from the Government's side .

Dr Jugindra expressed his gratitude to all the children and their parents and also the Director of Health Services for the trust bestowed upon Shija Hospitals and making RBSK- Shija Children Heart Beat (1st Phase) a grand success.

Comment