Patna: State health minister Nishant Kumar on Friday said 28 children suffering from congenital heart disease were sent to Shri Satya Sai Heart Hospital in Ahmedabad for free treatment under the 99th batch of the state-run Baal Hriday Yojana.
He, through a press release, said the scheme has so far enabled the successful treatment of 3,028 children across Bihar, calling it a life-giving initiative for poor and needy families struggling with the burden of costly cardiac care.
Scheme launched in 2021
Nishant said the Baal Hriday Yojana was launched on April 4, 2021, by then CM Nitish Kumar under Saat Nishchay-2 with the aim of strengthening “additional health facilities for all.” The scheme provides free treatment and medical care to children aged 0 to 18 years who are born with congenital heart defects, especially cases involving a hole in the heart.
Children from 14 districts
He said the latest batch includes children from Araria, Arwal, Aurangabad, Darbhanga, East Champaran, Kishanganj, Lakhisarai, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Saran, Sheohar, Supaul, Saharsa and Kaimur districts. All of them will receive free surgery and treatment under the supervision of specialist doctors at the Ahmedabad hospital.
He said the scheme has emerged as a major support system for families that would otherwise find advanced heart treatment unaffordable. Besides saving lives, the initiative has reduced the financial burden on thousands of households and significantly improved the health and quality of life of the affected children.
Health camps and screening
Nishant said the health department regularly conducts health camps and screening programmes in districts across the state to identify children suffering from congenital heart disease. After detailed examination by specialist doctors, affected children are referred for treatment to leading institutions including IGIC, IGIMS, Medanta Hospital in Patna and Shri Satya Sai Heart Hospital in Ahmedabad, depending on medical requirements.
He wished the children a speedy recovery and said the state govt remains focused on making quality healthcare accessible to every needy citizen. He said Baal Hriday Yojana stands as an example of commitment, bringing renewed hope to thousands of children and their families across Bihar.
