Date:24/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/24/stories/2007012417510300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

ICH performs successful high-risk surgeries on children

Staff Reporter

Operations made possible by Government support

T. Kavya

CHENNAI : In the past three months, the cardiology department of the Institute of Child Health has performed several high-risk open-heart surgeries with funds received from the government.

The department received Rs. 60 lakh last week for performing heart surgeries. Every year it gets Rs.50 lakh exclusively for disposables used in surgeries. Since 1998 the department also receives money from the Chief Minister's fund. In a year the department performs 350 surgeries on children below 12. Kavya, 8, the first-born of lorry driver Thangavel and Santhi of Uthiapalayam near Namakkal, is one such beneficiary. Kavya had inherited her heart defect from her mother, who had been operated for a similar condition when she was eight at the Government General Hospital in the city.

Kavya had a large hole in her heart and was initially prescribed tablets. She developed fever and cold every three months. Some months ago, she began to have palpitations and her fever-and-cold cycle became more frequent. She was diagnosed as suffering from `severe pulmonary artery hypertension' requiring `medical management' at a private hospital in Coimbatore.

Her parents brought her to GGH but she could not be helped there. They brought Kavya to the ICH on November 17, where the doctors decided to operate.

"The girl had reached almost the borderline. We have the facilities, equipment and the medicines," said P. Moorthy, head of Department of CT surgery at the institute. The surgery was performed two weeks ago.

Kavya, who returns home on Tuesday, will be on medication for six months. Surgeries like the one she underwent could cost Rs. 2 lakh in a private hospital. Such surgeries should be done before the child turns three years, Dr. Moorthy said.