A Paediatric Cardiology Mega Medical Camp was organised at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, to provide expert evaluation and ensure access to follow-up treatment and surgical care for children with heart conditions. The camp was organised as part of the 73rd birthday celebrations of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi and the 26th anniversary celebrations of the Department of Paediatric Cardiology at Amrita Hospital. More than 700 children participated in the camp.
The mega medical camp was organised for children below 18 years of age with heart-related conditions. The health status of the children was evaluated under the guidance of expert paediatric cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, and appropriate recommendations regarding further treatment were provided. As part of the initiative, children identified as requiring surgery will be provided free cardiac surgery or catheter-based treatment, as appropriate.
The mega medical camp was organised as part of Amrita Hospital’s 26-year-long service in the field of paediatric cardiac care. Hospital authorities stated that, over the past 26 years, more than 31,500 children have received treatment either free of cost or with substantial financial support. The primary objective of such initiatives is to ensure that children who may otherwise be unable to access specialised cardiac care due to financial constraints receive the treatment they need.
Cardiac Care with Community Participation
In addition to screening and evaluating children for heart-related conditions, the camp helped identify children requiring medical or surgical intervention and facilitate their access to further treatment. The activities of Amrita’s Paediatric Heart Programme, which provides treatment support to children from across India in addition to Kerala, were also presented during the camp.
Dr. R. Krishnakumar, Clinical Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatric Cardiology at Amrita Hospital, led the camp. He presented the department’s 26-year journey and its various services in the field of paediatric cardiac care.
Swami Purnamritananda Puri, General Secretary of Mata Amritanandamayi Math, delivered the benediction. Dr. K. S. Radhakrishnan, former Vice Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, inaugurated the medical camp.
Dr. P. Prathapan Nair, Senior Medical Administrator, Amrita Hospital; Vinod S. M., Director, Social Initiatives, K. Chittilappilly Foundation; Anoop Kumar, Business Leader, GE Healthcare; Dr. Brijesh P. K., Professor and Head of the Department of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, Amrita Hospital; and Dr. Balu Vaidyanathan, among others, attended the programme.
The social initiatives undertaken in collaboration with the K. Chittilappilly Foundation, Bloom to Life, Genesis Foundation and Vishwashanthi Foundation were also presented during the event.
Strengthening Support for Treatment
Various initiatives and programmes aimed at strengthening support for paediatric cardiac care were also presented as part of Amrita’s Paediatric Heart Care Programme. The ‘Hridaya Chittamritam’ initiative and the collaboration with the K. Chittilappilly Foundation were also formally presented during the event.
Through such free medical camps, Amrita Hospital aims to facilitate the early detection of heart conditions in children, including congenital heart defects, and ensure timely and appropriate treatment, thereby providing many children with an opportunity to return to a normal and healthy life.
