Guwahati: Assam government is going to launch a unique scheme under which children born with hole in their heart will be provided free surgery and treatment at a hospital in Bangalore by the government.

Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said government have already discussed with the Bangalore-based hospital for surgery of 500 poor children with hole in their heart in the first phase. A week long screening camp would be organised at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here from July 1 next.

"Government will bear the entire transportation of the patient and one attendant, cost of the treatment and other related expenses. We have already allocated Rs three crore for the purpose in the first phase. This scheme is part of our health care initiative included in our last state budget,” Sarma said.

The Bangalore-based Narayanan Hridalaya hospital would extend a concessional package for the treatment of the children from Assam..  “The State Government is focusing on enhancing the child healthcare system and bringing the best facilities to the children,” he added.

Sarma said there are at least 50 identified cases of children with hole in their heart and there are about 7000 hole-hearted children across the state. Their parents and family are struggling to meet the expense of the treatment and surgery as most of them are economically backward.

“Though there are quite a large number of children with such a health problem in the State, identification process would be conducted soon,” Sarma said.

The minister also said that for check up after the treatment, the children need not visit Bangalore again as doctors from Narayana Hridayalaya would come down to the GMCH and examine the children.
It may be mentioned here that Assam is the country’s only state which have announced healthcare as fundamental rights and have already announced several innovative schemes for people.
—iGovernment Bureau