A life that hinges on a generous heart

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-family:="" times="" new="" roman="" class="author">SOURAV SANYAL</span><br />CHANDIGARH: He’s got three months within which he has to arrange for the whopping sum. But then, his failing health would hardly permit him to run around for raising money for his heart surgery. Suffering from Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD), 19 yearold Vikram, a resident of Dhanas has lost all hope now.Three months ago, doctors had told to arrange Rs 1.5 lakhs within six months for his multiple valve replacement surgery. Half the time is over and still there is no money.<br />‘‘Since I am confined to bed for the major part of the day, my brother has started working as a construction worker trying to raise the money,’’ he says.<br />Vikram’s brother, Sanju, is 11 years old. Working at the construction site, he barely manages to earn Rs 50 a day. Sanju, who lost his mother last year, has the additional responsibility of looking after his ailing 70 year-old father, who too is largely confined to bed, battling with serious stomach diseases. This leaves Sanju as the sole earning member of the family. Vikram’s woes began about two years back. Never having gone to school, he had started with doing odd jobs and running errands for others. But the energy didnot last for long. ‘‘Suddenly, I started feeling breathless and my head began reeling. It appeared as if the whole world was shaking violently, recalls Vikram.<br />He adds that the frequency of such fits increased and acute chest pain made matters worse. ‘‘I used to feel weak and stressed out all the time and then consulted a doctor at the dispensary, who told me that I had a heart disease. I was referred to to PGI,� he says.<br />At PGI, doctors found that while the left ventricle was normal, his right ventricle, right auricle and left auricle were all enlarged. ‘‘He has undergone echo cardiogram and we feel that he needs DVR (double valve replacement) and repair of tricuspid valve. The estimated cost is around Rs 1.5 lakh. If the surgery is not done on time, the repercussions might be fatal,� says a PGI doctor.<br />Those wishing to see Vikram live again might contact PGI’s Public Relations Officer (phone: 747585 ext: 6003) for donation at the earliest. It might be too late for him otherwise. </div> </div>