19 Children Undergo Free Heart Surgeries At Nims
The camp, held from Sept. 6 to 12, was organised by the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Nims, in collaboration with a UK team led by paediatric cardiac surgeon Dr D. Ramana. The NIMS team was headed by Dr M. Amaresh Rao.
HYDERABAD: Nineteen children, aged two months to 13 years, underwent complex congenital heart surgeries during the fifth paediatric cardiac surgery camp at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (Nims), with some returning for staged procedures.
The camp, held from Sept. 6 to 12, was organised by the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Nims, in collaboration with a UK team led by paediatric cardiac surgeon Dr D. Ramana. The NIMS team was headed by Dr M. Amaresh Rao.
Surgeries costing ₹15–20 lakh in private hospitals were provided free under Aarogyasri and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. More than 1,000 children were screened; 100 were advised surgery, including 20 requiring urgent intervention.
Dr Amaresh Rao said the camp helped identify children needing later surgery. Several who had undergone procedures in earlier camps returned to share progress. Dr Ramana explained that some congenital defects require staged operations, with definitive surgery performed once children grow older.
Parents narrated experiences of multiple procedures and high private costs. The camp was conducted through Healing Little Hearts, continuing collaborations since 2023.
Nawab Mir Najaf Ali Khan, grandson of the Seventh Nizam, attended as chief guest and urged continuation of the programme. The camp also saw the first use of ECMO support under Aarogyasri at NIMS, a lifesaving intervention costing about ₹2 lakh a day, borne by the government.
