On the initiative of Jharkhand Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari, 25 poor children were sent from Ranchi to Kochi, Kerala, in the Amrita Hospital today in the second group for free complex heart surgeries. These children suffer from serious congenital heart diseases and heart defects.
Since they cannot afford treatment due to financial difficulties, the state government is covering the full cost of treatment, which amounts to about 10 lakh rupees per child. Thanks to cooperation from railway services, all the children were sent with hope for a better life.
Treatment and surgery for congenital heart diseases and heart defects are extremely complex and expensive. It is practically impossible for poor and vulnerable families to raise millions of rupees. Due to lack of timely funding, the treatment of many children is delayed, and the illness gradually becomes fatal.
The step taken by the Jharkhand government has completely lifted the burden of colossal expenses from the shoulders of economically weak parents.
Health Minister Dr. Irfan Ansari stated that even when he was a legislator, he promised to prioritize the health of poor children if given the opportunity. He noted that over the last 20 years, there has been no expansion of super-specialized medical institutions in the state, and poor families have paid the main price. Now, he is realizing this old promise with complete dedication, saving children's lives.
The minister reported that a first group of children had already been sent to Kochi under this special initiative. Successful surgeries were performed at Amrita Hospital there, and all the children returned home completely healthy. It was after the success of the first group that the second batch of 25 children was sent today. The clear goal of the government is that no child in the state should lose the fight for life due to lack of funds.
Dr. Irfan Ansari emotionally stated that his highest priority is to save children's lives at any cost and give them a new life. He emphasized that if this small effort allows a child to breathe a sigh of relief and brings a smile to poor parents, it is the greatest achievement. Clear instructions have been given to healthcare to ensure the best medical services for every needy child.
The minister called upon all MLAs, legislators, and local representatives of the state to be active. He requested that any poor children suffering from serious heart diseases in any panchayat, village, or town be immediately reported to the health department. The state government will take full responsibility for the treatment of such children. No family will be lost due to financial insolvency.
Speaking about the healthcare system, the minister noted that improvements in the system must be visible not only on paper but also on the ground. Access to modern medical facilities for the last person in society is the moral duty of the government. The health department commits to providing timely, proper, and high-level treatment to every needy person.
Ajay Kumar Singh, Deputy Secretary of the Health Department, stated that the department is developing using new technologies, new approaches, and improved conditions. Providing modern cardiac treatment to poor children is among the department's main priorities. He clarified that the families of affected children will not have to spend a single penny out of their pockets throughout this process.
Shashi Prakash Jha, MD NHM, noted that the visionary and compassionate thinking of the Health Minister inspires the department to work more effectively for the benefit of society. Timely treatment of children battling congenital heart diseases is part of an ongoing campaign. He added that poverty should not be an obstacle to any child's right to a healthy life.
Many senior officials of the health department were present during the children's departure. Furthermore, other employees and officials of the railway department, including DRM, provided full support in organizing the children's journey to Kochi. This compassionate initiative has become a new ray of hope for those poor families for whom expensive treatment seemed like an unattainable dream. This step will form a solid foundation for the healthy and safe future of these children.