Date:27/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/27/stories/2006082717610300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Child's survival hinges on surgery

Staff Reporter

Parents short of money for heart operation

CHENNAI: The survival of a 26-day-old infant hinges on an open-heart surgery for which her father, Stalin Rajesh, requires funds. The baby was born with congenital heart problems, which were diagnosed a day after its birth.

Cardio-thoracic surgeon K.R. Balakrishnan diagnosed its condition as "congenital heart disease with tetralogy of fallot/absent pulmonary valve syndrome for which she needs to undergo an open-heart surgery (intra-cardiac repair) at the earliest." The surgery was postponed from August 30 to September 7 for want of funds.

Mr. Rajesh and his wife, Sumathy, sold their family jewellery, to admit the child to Sri Ramachandra Medical College Hospital almost immediately after their child's condition was diagnosed. But the couple could raise only Rs. 1 lakh for the surgery, which is estimated to cost Rs. 1.6 lakh. The people at the hospital told him that he would need at least Rs. 2 lakh to meet the expenses. Mr. Rajesh works as a mechanic in a Yamaha Service Centre on Anna Salai. He has chosen a name, Mrithula, for the baby but the `naming ceremony' is yet be conducted.

Donors can send cheques in favour of Sri Ramachandra Hospital a/c to Baby of Sumathy, Porur, Chennai 600 116. Mr. Rajesh can be reached at: 99403-19969.