Congenital heart defects refer to defects in the structure or function of heart since birth. The estimated number of children born with congenital heart disease in India is more than 200,000 per year. About one-fifth of them require intervention in the first year of life.

In India, treating a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) requires passing through several stages. Pediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons work together to provide congenital heart disease treatment, which can include medication, catheter-based procedures, and in some cases, surgery. However, the infrastructure for CHD treatments varies across regions.

Tier I cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore have advanced medical facilities and good pediatric cardiologists and surgeons, making CHD treatment accessible while on the other hand in rural areas face challenges like limited medical infrastructure and awareness. In addition, even in the Trier I and tier II cities where pediactric cardiac centers are mostly located, these are located in the private sector where the cost of treatment is out of reach for many families. Some Government hospitals do have the capabilities to provide pediatric cardiac care, but the waiting involved is very often too long leading to long term adverse consequences on the child including death.

Government initiatives and NGOs have played a pivotal role in bridging these gaps by organizing medical camps, offering financial aid, and spreading awareness.

While challenges persist, India's progress in treating congenital heart disease is evident. Continued efforts to enhance medical accessibility, awareness, and infrastructure will pave the way for an even brighter future for CHD patients in India.

Some cases of CHD may heal themselves. Others may remain but don’t require any treatment while others must be treated soon after birth.

Due to the gaps in our system regarding awareness, resources, technology, and finances - many children die undiagnosed or face long term consequences.

Congenital Heart Disease Treatment: The treatment for congenital disease varies with the type and severity of the defect. it can involve the following approached used wither in combination or isolation:

• Medications to help the child’s heart work more efficiently or to manage blood pressure.
• Nonsurgical procedure to close a defect using a closing device.
• Prostaglandin E1, which relaxes smooth heart muscle and can keep open the ductus arteriosus (a blood vessel normally closed after birth) helping provide needed circulation.
• Surgery to repair a defect, opens up blood flow or redirect blood. In severe cases, a heart transplant may be necessary.
Despite having the best doctors with the best technical skills of providing treatment, we are lacking here because although many cardiac centers have developed over the past few years, they are not geographically accessible to the whole population. They are mostly in the private sector.

Not only equitable distribution, but an important factor is the COST of treatment which goes up to lakhs of rupees. Such high amount cannot be affordable by a rural middle man in India. But due to the generous support provided by NGOs like Genesis Foundation, a lot of families get financial aid which eases their burden.

To solve this problem at large, the government has worked on starting schemes which provide free congenital heart disease treatment to children who are diagnosed with it. Initiatives have been taken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare with the Government of Assam Kerala to name a few. You can read more about it here.

The key to helping these children lead normal lives is early diagnosis and timely treatment. Raising awareness about this issue can save many lives. It's a cause worth working for – making sure that every child gets a fair chance at a healthy life.

Article Source:
https://nhm.assam.gov.in/schemes/free-operations-for-children-having-congenital-heart-disease