Govt initiative gives new lease of life to four-year-old city student

Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 18

A student of Class I at a local government school was provided free treatment for a congenital health issue—a hole in the heart— under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram.

Naman Sharma, a four-year-old student of Government Power House School, was operated upon and treated free of cost at a private hospital.

Officials said according to Naman’s father, the problem came to the light after the child was diagnosed with fever. Doctors advised them a surgery but the family could not afford the treatment.

The child’s father was informed about the government initiative. Officials said the case for the treatment was prepared by the school authorities and was forwarded to the private hospital.

The child was operated upon free of cost and the hospital provided free diet to the patient. Sonu, child’s father, said, “I did not spend even a single penny on his treatment. Now, even the regular check-up of the child is being conducted free of cost.”

Deputy Commissioner Kumar Amit said, “The Health Department conducts medical check-up of newborn babies and children up to the age of 18 at government schools and anganwadis twice a year. A team of two medical officers, one pharmacist and one nurse, identifies problems in children and provides them free medical treatment accordingly.