Apollo Hospitals Launches Initiative to Combat Childhood Heart Disease in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Nishar Mohammed

Port Blair, Mar 24: Dr. C.S. Muthukumaran, a leading Consultant Pediatric & Adult Congenital Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, has unveiled a pioneering initiative aimed at tackling the alarming prevalence of heart disease among children in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Addressing the urgent need for specialized medical care in the region, Dr. Muthukumaran announced plans to conduct regular camps and provide essential cardiac interventions, with a focus on early detection and treatment.

Dr. C.S. Muthukumaran, a Consultant Pediatric & Adult Congenital Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, has shed light on the alarming prevalence of heart disease among children in India, particularly in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Addressing the press, Dr. Muthukumaran revealed that out of every thousand children born in the country, eight are diagnosed with heart disease. This statistic underscores the urgent need for accessible and effective medical intervention for affected children.

In the absence of specialized treatment facilities in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, many patients are compelled to travel to the mainland for surgery, exacerbating the burden on families and healthcare resources. To address this critical issue, Dr. Muthukumaran announced a comprehensive program to provide essential cardiac care to children in the region.

Under this initiative, Dr. Muthukumaran and his team from Apollo Clinic will conduct regular camps every two months, offering consultations and free medical check-ups. Patients requiring surgery or interventions will be referred to Apollo Children’s Hospital, Chennai. The patients can be supported under the Ayushman Bharat scheme wherein treatment expenses are borne by the government. And those patients who can afford the surgery cost of their own will be charged with a normal rate, he said.

Highlighting the significance of early intervention, Dr. Muthukumaran emphasized the importance of identifying heart conditions in children at an early stage. He outlined the two types of heart surgeries available – open-heart surgery and minimally invasive procedures, both of which boast high success rates.

In addition to providing immediate medical assistance, Dr. Muthukumaran aims to collaborate with the Andaman & Nicobar Administration to integrate cardiac care into existing healthcare schemes, ensuring comprehensive coverage for all residents.