CM Child Heart Scheme: 20 more kids sent to Ahmedabad for treatment

Patna: Twenty more children have been sent to Ahmedabad for treatment of congenital diseases under the CM Child Heart Scheme, state health minister Mangal Pandey said on Monday.Pandey added that, so far, a total of 2,665 children in Bihar have received treatment under the scheme, reflecting the department’s focus on addressing serious and congenital illnesses in children.The 94th batch of children suffering from congenital heart disease has been sent to Shri Satya Sai Heart Hospital, Ahmedabad, for free treatment. “This batch includes children from Araria, Buxar, East Champaran, Gaya, Madhubani, Nalanda, Samastipur, Saran, Sheohar and Vaishali districts. Their travel expenses to and from Ahmedabad are also covered by the state health department,” he said.Pandey said under the scheme and the National Child Health Programme, 14 children successfully underwent free device closure (non-surgical) procedures on Jan 8 and 9 at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology, Patna.“The scheme aims to identify children suffering from congenital heart disease promptly and provide free, appropriate treatment, relieving families of severe financial burden. Children are identified through health camps and screening programmes across districts. After detailed medical examinations, selected children are sent to IGIC, IGIMS, Jayprabha Medanta Hospital (Patna) or Shri Satya Sai Heart Hospital, Ahmedabad as needed. Free surgery and treatment are provided under expert supervision,” Pandey said.Under the scheme, 338 successful surgeries and treatments were performed in FY 2021-2022, 410 in FY 2022-2023, 556 in FY 2023-2024, and 764 in FY 2024-2025. In the current financial year, 597 surgeries and treatments have been completed till Jan 9.