Fortis Hospitals, Bangalore has successfully carried out surgeries on 13 children from the under privileged segment suffering from complex and congenital heart conditions. These children are from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Of the 13, one child suffered from a complex disease of the heart called as Tetralogy of Fallout (TOF). It is the most common heart defect in children. The condition is characterised by a combination of four heart defects i.e. pulmonary stenosis, ventricular hypertrophy, ventricular septal defect, and an aorta, and results in a situation wherein deoxygenated (blue) blood flows out to the body, thus making the children appear bluish. The doctors had to do the procedure making sure that the surgery did not affect the blood vessels of the child.

The remaining 12 patients suffered from Congenital Heart Disease which is a serious problem plaguing the country. An early detection of the heart defects at birth could help in complete cure. It is very important that awareness about heart disease at birth is properly spread among the masses so that it is detected at the right time. Once the deformity is detected at the appropriate time, treatment is definitely possible and once treated these kids live a normal and healthy life, said Dr. Joseph Xavier, Consultant Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon, Fortis Hospitals.

The hospital carried out the surgery after it associated with two organizations: Snhea Heart Society led by Father Chinnappan who identified the sick children. The second was Germany’s ENR Social Project through which funds were raised to carry out the surgeries. Fortis conducted the operations at a subsidized cost, said P Davison, Head of operations Fortis Hospitals Bannerghatta.

“There are many children in our country who are suffering from congenital heart disease. There is a huge need to create awareness and early detection to help save these little hearts. We at Fortis Hospitals are making an attempt to extend our support to save these young hearts. We have been receiving such kids from various parts of India through our association with ENR and Father Chinnappan who is spearheading this initiative in our country” Father Chinappan, a priest from Bhopal, has been working towards the cause of helping children suffering from congenital heart defects get their treatment. Father is associated with a German Foundation called ENR who helps raise funds for the surgeries. Fortis and Dr. Joseph Xavier has been actively supporting Father Chinappan’s cause by conducting congenital heart defect surgeries for the children, where the cost of the surgery at a subsidized rate, he added.

Congenital Heart Disease is primarily seen in neonates, infants and children; although in our country it is not uncommon to see adults with uncorrected heart defects. Though there have been rapid advances in the diagnosis and treatment of CHD over the last few decades, the mortality rate is still high.

Another issue in India is that the number of dedicated paediatric cardiologist and surgeons are also less and there are few centres which are equipped to perform such surgeries. The doctor: patient ratio in India is 1:6 lakh as against 1: 300 in the US. We are falling short of experts to handle the 1.5 lakh cases suffering from congenital heart disorders, said Dr. Xavier.