All kind of heart valves will be provided free of charge at the Central government-run Safdarjung Hospital for patients belonging to the BPL category under the National Illness Fund.
An order in this regard was issued by Dr. A.K. Rai, Medical Superintendent, Safdarjung Hospital. Currently, each valve costs around ₹42,000 at the hospital. “As per telephonic directions given by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS), all kinds of implants, disposables and heart valves used in the department of CTVS (cardio thoracic and vascular surgery) in the hospital will be provided free of cost to all patients,” stated the order dated May 12.
Around 20-25 heart valve surgeries are conducted at the hospital every month.
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How surgeries work
Heart conditions, age-related changes, rheumatic fever, or infections can cause acquired heart valve disease. In the valve replacement surgery, the diseased valve is replaced with a new one.