Guwahati: Assam has sent 76 children with congenital heart disease (CHD) for specialised treatment at the govt’s expense, the health department said.The initiative was launched on Thursday to mark PM Narendra Modi’s 76th birthday. The children are being referred to super-speciality hospitals, including Narayana Hospitals in Bengaluru and Mumbai and Health City Hospital, under National Health Mission’s CHD State Scheme.“76 precious lives. 76 new beginnings. 1 special day!” state health minister Ashok Singhal wrote in a social media post on Thursday.“In celebration of the 76th birthday of Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji, @NHM_Assam launched a landmark life-saving mission today – sponsoring advanced cardiac surgeries for 76 children with congenital heart disease at premier Narayana Hospitals in Mumbai & Bengaluru,” he added.The flag-off ceremony was held at the CN Centre of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). GMCH principal-cum-chief superintendent Dr Babul Kumar Bezbaruah flagged off the children and their guardians in the presence of GMCH superintendent Dr Devajit Choudhury and senior NHM Assam officials.Assam govt will cover treatment, surgery, travel and logistics costs. Since the programme began in 2010, 14,388 children have been sent for treatment under the CHD programme, while treatment for 51 children is ongoing in Bengaluru, Guwahati and Kolkata.“Today’s programme has been organised as a gesture of gratitude to our respected PM. We identified these children with congenital heart disease during heart screening camps, most of them aged below 14 years. We have tie-ups with hospitals at different locations,” Choudhury said.“A guardian will accompany each child. Once they reach the hospital they were referred to, the hospital will receive them and arrange their treatment. If any further specialised treatment or intervention is required, we will send them to another appropriate facility,” he added.
