Goa medical college shortlists five needy children for free-heart surgeries

In association with the Rotary 3190 and the Needy Heart foundation under the Save a Life Programme, Goa medical college has identified five needy children suffering from chronic cardiac issues.

In a similar initiative, the two organisations have been facilitating such operations (life saving heart surgeries) in Bangalore each year.

This year also, under a budget of 40 crore, 50 children (including five from Goa) have been recommended by various hospitals and surgeons to Rotary. In addition, the team hopes to cater to 1,000 children below 16 years of age suffering from heart diseases.

Rotary 3190 has signed MoUs with all major cardiac hospitals in Bengaluru, like Fortis, Jayadeva, Manipal, and others for heart surgeries.

Confirming the news, the Rotary, district secretary, Ramkumarr Seshu is implied to have said that we are taking care of these children who are suffering from congenital defects since birth.

These children are well aware of their health problem but cannot avail treatment as they cannot afford a surgery.

As reported by TOI, as a part of this year's initiative, five children, 15-year-old Anil Patil, three-and-a-half-year-old Katherine Costa, two-and-a-half-year-old Kulsum Ansari, eight-year-old Ranjan Giri and seven-month-old Loshit Kudanti will be given complimentary heart surgeries in Bengaluru with their travel, accommodation and operation costs borne solely by Rotary members.

Eager to help more children, Rotary, district governor, Flt Lt KP Nagesh invited more recommendations, "Rotary is not looking at caste, creed or geographical borders to offer support. All we want is to help these children."

The launch of heart surgery project will be at the hands of governor Mridula Sinha at the inauguration of the 39th Rotary District Conference to be held on January 29 at Kala Academy, Panaji.