Hyderabad: NIMS heart surgeries helped 19 children with critical heart conditions undergo successful procedures under a joint medical initiative.
NIMS Cardiothoracic Department Head Dr. Amaresh supervised the surgeries with a team led by UK-based pediatric cardiac surgeon Dr. Ramana. The procedures were carried out on children identified earlier with serious heart problems.
The surgical programme began last month, while the medical teams started operating on the most critical cases this month. As a result, 19 children have successfully undergone heart surgery this year under the joint efforts of the UK and NIMS teams.
The initiative aimed to provide advanced cardiac care to children requiring complex procedures. The successful operations ensured that the children received treatment for their serious heart conditions.
Earlier, government hospitals lacked dedicated pediatric cardiac surgery departments. Therefore, many children with different heart diseases had to depend on private hospitals for treatment.
The then KCR government established a Pediatric Cardio Surgery Department at NIMS in 2022. The department was set up at a cost of Rs. 5 crore to expand access to pediatric cardiac care in a government hospital.
A UK medical team also came forward five years ago to conduct free heart surgeries for children. The initiative involved the then BRS government and the NIMS medical team.
NIMS heart surgeries continue through UK partnership
The partnership enabled children to receive complex cardiac procedures without treatment costs. Under the initiative, medical teams have been performing surgeries for children with serious heart conditions.
According to the source, the programme provides completely free heart surgeries to 20 children every year. The latest group included 19 children who successfully underwent procedures this year.
Meanwhile, the NIMS team worked alongside the UK medical team to identify and treat children with the most critical cardiac conditions. The latest surgeries added to the continuing effort to provide specialised pediatric cardiac care through the government hospital.
The programme has therefore combined NIMS medical expertise with support from the UK team. It has also provided free access to complex heart surgeries for children who may otherwise have depended on private hospitals.