PRESS RELEASE Imphal, Nov. 1: A joint press conference on RBSK - Shija Children Heart Beat (1^st Phase) was held today in the auditorium of Shija Hospitals and was chaired by Dr. K. Rajo, Director of Health Services, Govt. of Manipur, Dr. Kh. Palin, Chairman cum Managing Director and Dr. Jugindra S, Medical Superintendent of Shija Hospitals.

In his introductory speech, Dr. Kh. Palin, CMD – Shija Hospitals mentioned that a 4 day camp on non operative closure of holes in the heart of children, was organized by Shija Heart Beat from 22^nd Oct’17 to 25^th Oct’17 at Shija Hospitals in collaboration with State Health Society, Govt. of Manipur under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), a National Rural Health Mission program aiming at early identification and early intervention for children from birth to 18 years who are born with holes in the heart, a congenital heart disease (CHD). Altogether 10 children were treated non operatively during the camp. The procedures were performed by Dr. R. Prem Sekar from Chennai, MRCP (Ireland), FRCP (Glasgow), who is one of the leading top 15 paediatric interventional cardiologists in the country and who has been practicing for more than 20 years. The procedures were performed using one of the latest Phillips Cath Lab installed at Shija. Major chunk of the treatment cost is sponsored by State Health Society and an additional amount of Rs. 30,000 is to be borne by the family of the patient. However this additional amount for the 11 procedures (ASD-4, VSD-5 and PDA-2) done on the 10 children during RBSK- Shija Children Heart Beat (1^st Phase) was completely sponsored by Shija Foundation, an NGO due to in-afford- ability of the parents. He said that 1% of the population is estimated to have holes in the heart and with a population of around 28 lakh in Manipur according to 2011 census report, nearly 30,000 children are suffering with heart defects from birth and 30% of them require intervention. So more than 9000 children will require treatment. He further said that the next camp will be held from 27^th Nov’17 to 30^th Nov’17 with a targeted number of 20 patients. He also made an appeal to all the Honorable MLAs’, Ministers, Member of Parliaments, organizations and social activists of the state to come forward and extend financial assistance (Rs. 30,000 per patient) so that the poor children born with congenital heart disease from their respective constituencies are able to avail of treatment under RBSK- Shija Children Heart Beat program and lead normal lives like other healthy children in the society.

A short video clipping on the non operative interventional procedures performed by Dr. R. Prem Sekar was also shown during the press conference.

Representing State Health Society, Govt. of Manipur, Dr. K. Rajo, Director of Health Services said that RBSK is an initiative keenly taken up by the Govt. of Manipur under the guidance of NRHM. He also said that the Directorate of Health Services is putting all efforts to improve the health care delivery system especially in the hills. He was deeply impressed to see the well equipped infrastructure and facilities available at Shija Hospitals and assured to extend all possible support from the government’s side.

Dr. Jugindra S, Medical Superintendent, Shija Hospitals expressed his gratitude to all the children and their parents and also the Director of Health Services, Govt. of Manipur for the trust bestowed upon Shija Hospitals and making RBSK- Shija Children Heart Beat (1 st Phase) a grand success.

(Premkumar Takhellambam)
Dy. Manager – Business Development