Date:16/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/16/stories/2006031617460500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Heart patients from Guyana treated in city

Staff Reporter

This is the second group from the country to visit India for medical treatment

AFTER TREATMENT: Fifteen children and adults with heart problems who underwent surgery pose with the First Lady of Guyana, Varshnie Jagdeo, at Frontier Lifeline Hospital in Chennai on Wednesday. — Photo: K. Pichumani

CHENNAI: A group of 15 children and adults from Guyana will leave for home after undergoing cardiac treatment at Frontier Lifeline Hospital, Mogappair.

The group is a beneficiary of Kids First Fund, a non-government organisation in Guyana patronised by First Lady Varshnie Jagdeo.

This is the second group from Guyana to visit India for medical treatment. The first group of four children came to India in last September under the `Heart 2 Heart' programme.

Dr. Cherian and his team at the hospital performed all surgeries. According to the organisation, approximately 300 children in Guyana need heart surgery, but the country lacks cardiologists and cardiac surgeons. Though surgeons are available in Trinidad, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, the costs are prohibitive. "In India, we get world class health care at a very attractive price and there are no visa restrictions also," a press release from Kids First Fund says.

The group, which came to Chennai on March 5, will leave for Guyana soon.

The next trip scheduled for April 2006 is expected to help 10 children.