The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Scheme proves hearty for these children

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Monday, Jul 07, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Scheme proves hearty for these children

S. Sundar

VIRUDHUNAGAR: Destiny would have played a cruel role in the lives of these children, but for the timely intervention of the State Government.

Thanks to the Chief Minister’s ‘Ilam Sirar Idayam Padhukappu’ scheme, S. Bharatraj, V. Muthukalai and P. Kalaiammal, in the age group of 5 and 9 years, are hopeful of leading a normal life. These children from Sattur block, who had congenital heart disease, have the distinction of being the first among 100 other disadvantaged children in the State to undergo heart surgery under the scheme.

“The boys underwent surgery for atrial septal defect at Vadamalayam Hospital, Madurai, on June 29. Five-year-old Kalaiammal, suffering from infundibular pulmonary atresia, was operated upon on July 2. The patients are able to walk now and soon they will be discharged,” the Sivakasi Deputy Director (Health), S. Balasubramanian, said. “These children would have developed complications beyond cure, if they were to undergo surgery at the Government hospitals in normal circumstances. It may also take years,” he said. The surgeries would cost around Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh in private hospitals.

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