The Hindu Business Line : AP CM convenes meet on medical aid for children with heart problems

THE death of T. Shoban, a 13-year-old heart patient from Karimnagar, here on Saturday has set off a huge rescue operation to save the lives of hundreds of children afflicted with diseases.

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has convened an all-party meeting on Monday to discuss a scheme to provide medical assistance to the poor children suffering from cardiac problems.

The State Government has set up a crisis management group to attend to the children, while several hospitals, both public and private, have stepped in to screen and evaluate the severity of the problem.

Shoban was among the hundreds of children suffering from heart diseases and their parents who took part in a State-level meet here on Saturday. They were demanding that the Government come out with a special package to save their lives.

The boy complained of breathing problem even as the organisers were preparing to start the meeting. He died a while later, triggering a spontaneous dharna by the agitators.

The State Government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 to the parents of Shoban.

On receiving the information that a large number of children with heart diseases gathered at the meet, Apollo Hospitals sent eight ambulances and two buses to shift them to the Apollo Children's Heart Hospital for screening.

An eight-member cardiologists team, supported by 50 para-medical staff, screened 504 children and found that 21 of them needed immediate treatment.

A hospital spokesman said the doctors had already done surgeries on three children so far.

Of the 504 children, 162 needed to undergo surgeries. "They were given dates for surgery based on seriousness of the problem," the hospital said in a press release.

About 150 children were to go for further evaluation. "Others do not need immediate intervention," it said.

Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman of the Apollo group, donated Rs 5 lakh, to SACH (Save a Children's Heart Hospital) to offer treatment to the children.

Ms Sangita Reddy, Executive Director, and Apollo group staff donated Rs 20 lakh more for the purpose.

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