In the last six months, 108 children have undergone surgeries for various cardiac diseases under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS).
On Wednesday, 47 of these children came together at the Government Vellore Medical College Hospital (GVMCH), Adukkamparai, for a felicitation programme. All these children were screened at the Department of Paediatrics, GVMCH, and underwent surgery at a private hospital in Chennai between September 2016 and first week of April this year, E. Theranirajan, head, Department of Paediatrics, GVMCH, said.
709 screened
As many as 709 children were screened for heart diseases during this period, of which 399 were diagnosed with congenital heart diseases. Of this, 108 children underwent surgery, while the remaining did not need immediate intervention, Mr. Theranirajan said.
Of the 108 children, 26 had undergone surgery for Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), a hole between the two right and left ventricles and 43 for Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), a hole between the two atriums.
“In ASD, 21 children aged five to 10 years and 11 children aged 10 to 18 years underwent the surgery. This is usually asymptomatic,” he said. Surgery was performed on 15 children with Patent Ductus Arteriosus, in which there is communication between the aorta and pulmonary artery, and five children with Tetralogy of Fallot, four defects in the heart.
Thirteen babies underwent corrective surgeries for Complex Congenital Heart diseases.
“These are very critical congenital cyanotic heart diseases and should be treated immediately as there are chances of complications,” he added.
Surgery was performed on another six children for acquired heart diseases such as rheumatic heart diseases.
Dr. Theranirajan said that many of the babies were diagnosed with heart diseases within 24 to 48 hours of birth. While the surgeries were covered under CMCHIS, those requiring more funds were covered by an NGO. Pre and post operative care were provided at GVMCH.
As part of this initiative, a paediatric cardiologist visited the GVMCH once every month for screening and selection of children, who required immediate cardiac intervention, he added.
Collector S.A. Raman, GVMCH Dean Usha Sadasivam, Director of Cardiac Sciences of Fortis Malar, Chennai K.R. Balakrishnan and paediatric cardiologist Samy were present.
