No Poor Child in Jharkhand Will Die Due to Lack of Treatment’: Health Minister Irfan Ansari

‘Gift of Life’ programme launched at RIMS; 380 children screened for congenital heart disease
Government to bear treatment and surgery costs of up to Rs 15 lakh; Amrita Hospital, Kochi, to provide specialised medical care

RANCHI: In a major initiative to provide life-saving healthcare to underprivileged children, Jharkhand Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari on Friday inaugurated the ‘Gift of Life’ programme at the RIMS Auditorium in Ranchi. The programme, jointly organised by the State Health Department and Amrita Hospital, Kochi, aims to provide free diagnosis, treatment and cardiac surgeries to children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).

Around 380 children from different districts of Jharkhand underwent screening by a team of specialist doctors. More than 350 children are expected to benefit from the initiative through further medical evaluation and appropriate treatment, including surgery wherever necessary.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Ansari said that poverty and the helplessness of families unable to afford expensive medical treatment were realities he had witnessed closely.

"I have seen poverty with my own eyes. I have witnessed the pain of parents who cannot afford treatment for their seriously ill children. I have resolved that no poor child in Jharkhand should lose his or her life due to a lack of medical treatment," he said.

The minister described the initiative as a commitment to protect the lives of children from economically weaker families and assured that financial constraints would not come in the way of their treatment.

Government to Bear Expenses Up to Rs 15 Lakh
Dr Ansari announced that the state government would bear the entire treatment expenditure for eligible children. Depending on the medical requirements, assistance ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh would be arranged, while in complicated cases the expenditure could reach Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.

The assistance would cover medical investigations, specialist consultations, surgery, medicines, hospitalisation, food, travel expenses for children and their parents, and post-operative follow-up.

380 Children Screened by Specialist Doctors
Under the programme, children are being examined to identify various forms of congenital heart defects, including Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), congenital valve disorders and complex heart abnormalities.

The diagnostic process will include 2D Echocardiography, Colour Doppler, ECG, Pulse Oximetry and other investigations as required.

Based on medical assessments, children will receive individualised treatment plans. While some may require regular monitoring or medication, others may need catheter-based procedures or open-heart surgery.

Specialist doctors from Amrita Hospital, Kochi, will provide medical evaluation and treatment to the identified children.

RIMS to Be Developed as a Centre for Paediatric Cardiac Care
The Health Minister directed officials to initiate steps to establish permanent facilities for congenital heart disease treatment and cardiac surgery at RIMS, Ranchi.

He stressed the need for specialist doctors, modern medical equipment, advanced operation theatres, intensive care facilities and trained medical personnel.

Dr Ansari said the government's objective was to ensure that children from Jharkhand would not have to travel to other states for advanced cardiac treatment. He added that efforts were being made under the guidance of Chief Minister Hemant Soren to strengthen specialised healthcare infrastructure within the state.

Specialist Recruitment and Equipment Within One Year
Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department Ajay Kumar Singh said that the collaboration with Amrita Hospital, Kochi, would provide significant support to children suffering from congenital heart conditions.

He stated that the department would work towards recruiting specialist doctors and procuring modern medical equipment within the next one year. The government also aims to develop the necessary infrastructure at RIMS to facilitate advanced cardiac treatment and surgeries within Jharkhand.

Parents Express Gratitude
The programme witnessed emotional moments as several parents became overwhelmed while interacting with the Health Minister. Many expressed gratitude, saying that financial difficulties had previously prevented them from arranging specialised treatment for their children.

Responding to their emotions, Dr Ansari said that the happiness of families whose children recover after treatment would be the biggest reward for his efforts.

"When a child returns home healthy after successful treatment and happiness returns to the family, I will consider my efforts successful," he said.

NHM Mission Director Highlights Collective Efforts
NHM Mission Director Shashi Prakash Jha said that the Health Minister's vision and continuous efforts were beginning to translate into concrete initiatives. He appreciated the collective contribution of doctors, healthcare workers and departmental officials in implementing the programme.

Dr Ansari also appealed to parents to remain alert to symptoms such as difficulty in feeding, rapid breathing, excessive sweating, poor weight gain, bluish lips and recurrent chest infections. He urged them to seek medical advice promptly if such symptoms appeared.

He further appealed to MPs, MLAs, local representatives, Zila Parishad members and village Mukhiyas to identify children suffering from congenital heart disease, particularly those from economically weaker families, and inform the Health Department.

The programme was attended by RIMS Director Dr D.K. Sinha, NHM Mission Director Shashi Prakash Jha, Dr Brajesh from Amrita Hospital, Kochi, senior doctors, Health Department officials, paramedical staff, children from different districts and their parents.

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