(Heart Care for children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease- A First of its kind initiative of the Health & Family Welfare Department, Govt. of Assam)

About the Program:

Free Treatment for Children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is a compassionate and unique initiative of Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Assam which is introduced a dedicated scheme for children suffering from Congenital Heart Disease which is being implemented by NHM, Assam with effect from 1^st July, 2010. The scheme is for children from birth up to 18 years of age (since 1^st January, 2020, earlier it was for the age group of 0-14 years) born with congenital heart defects. The scheme is available to children born to the permanent residents of Assam and whose annual income is Rs 6 lakh or less. Government of Assam bears the entire cost of screening, diagnostic investigations and treatment (for patients requiring operative care) for these children in empanelled hospitals outside the state including designated hospitals of outside the State. Government of Assam also provide to and fro airfare between Guwahati to other destinations outside the State for the patient and one parent or guardian, besides providing suitable accommodation near the hospital for the guardian during the period of hospitalization. The implementation of the CHD programme was transferred to Atal Amrit Abhiyaan Society (AAAS), Assam w.e.f. 1st January, 2020.

About Congenital Heart Disease:

Congenital Heart Disease(CHD) is a defect in the structure of the heart and the great vessels that is present at birth. It is estimated that approximately 1% of all live births are affected by congenital heart disease (CHD). Many of them are associated with other major birth defects and may be of genetic disorders which are difficult part of broader group to treat, and have high mortality. These defects usually disrupt the normal circulation of blood resulting in the tissues of the body may not get an adequate supply of oxygen.

Children born with these defects may have respiratory difficulties and bluish discoloration (known as cyanosis) due to circulation of blood that is not adequately oxygenated. They usually become easily fatigued; suffer from recurrent respiratory infections, weakness, palpitation and sometimes cyanosis of the tongue and fingertips.

Eligibility:

• • The Scheme came into effect from 1st July, 2010.
  • Children from birth up to 18 years of age who have been certified by the Head of the Department (HoD), Department of Paediatric Surgery, GMCH as requiring cardiac surgery.
  • The guardian must be a permanent resident of Assam and family annual income must not exceed Rs. 6 lakh.

Procedure:

The patient must submit an application to the State Nodal Officer along with the following documents:

• • Application to the Nodal Officer for financial aid
  • Permanent residence certificate issued by the Government of Assam.
  • Address proof
  • Medical certificate requiring cardiac surgery by a competent and qualified Cardiac Surgeon
  • All relevant medical records including investigation reports and receipts of laboratory tests (viz. x-ray report, doctors prescriptions, pathology test report etc.) shall be presented to the Nodal Officer for consideration of the case
  • Referral certificate for cardiac surgery including name of referral centre.
  • Details of the employment of the parent or guardian.
  • Income certificate
  • Letter from referral hospital mentioning the tentative date of operation
  • The patient must appear before the State Nodal Officer or be exempted on valid medical or other acceptable grounds.

For necessary information regarding the Scheme, the person may contact State Coordinator, CHD Programme or the Department of Cardiology, GMCH, Guwahati.

Total 14,335 numbers of children were treated under the scheme since 2010-11 to 30^th June,2026.