Let those who have hearts open their eyes; two years since 'Hridhyam' came to halt in Sree Chitra

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It has been two years since Hridhyam, the free heart disease treatment scheme, came to a halt in Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, which provides the best treatment for heart disease in Kerala. This criminal negligence is going on when more than 4000 children are born with heart disease every year in the state. Although the hospital authorities have tried to get a place in the scheme at least from the next financial year, there has been no favourable action from the state government.

The governing body of Sree Chitra for the financial year 2019-2020 had withdrawn from the Hridhyam scheme by not renewing the contract citing that the rates under the scheme for treatment and surgeries were not feasible. After the new governing body came up, efforts were made to join Hridhyam once again. However, the Health Department is reluctant to re-incorporate the hospital that once withdrew from the scheme. The number of parents who get dejected upon knowing that their children will not get treatment due to lack of money is increasing every day.

The contract is signed in April every year. With only one day left for the start of the new financial year, there will be no Hridhyam scheme in Sree Chitra in the coming year if the contract is not signed immediately. The lives of several poor children suffering from diseases will be affected.

The 'Hridhyam' scheme was launched in Kerala as part of Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram, a scheme launched by the Centre with the aim of reducing the infant mortality rate.

Kottayam Govt Medical College, Kozhikode Govt Medical College and SAT are the hospitals in the government sector that are in the Hridhyam scheme. Surgeries which cannot be performed in these hospitals can be performed in Sree Chitra. Private hospitals such as Amrita Hospital in Kochi, Aster Medcity, Lisie Hospital, Believers Church Medical College and Aster MIMS are also part of Hridhyam.

700 babies battling for life
Babies in critical condition can be rushed from the Medical College SAT Hospital to Sree Chitra within hours. However, the hopes of the common man are getting destroyed due to the shortage of money. 600 to 700 children are brought to Sree Chitra for heart disease treatment every year.