Baby Mammet’s Wayward Heart Correction

Baby Mammet an 8 month old baby girl suffering from Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) came from Ashada, Karnataka with her father Ganesh and mother Rekha. From a very poor background her parents live by doing small jobs wherever they can find it. With no fixed job they have a hard time with no sustained income.

Delivered in Jain Hospital and identified with a heart disease which enabled 5 months of treatment at the end of which the doctors said that there was no chance of survival. Advised by neighbors and friends family they approached Jayadeva Hospital. With no money and contacts they approached Needy Heart Foundation (NHF) through the hospital. On review of the case NHF decided to help. The thankful family felt supported both monetarily and emotionally.

The baby had Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and had to go through open heart surgery. An Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) is a hole in the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart (atria). There were two blood streams, positive and negative, which had to be separated. Open-heart surgery was done to separate the streams as well as to repair the damaged areas of the heart. The operation was done by Dr. Sita Ram Bhatta of Jayadeva hospital. The Baby has been admitted in the hospital for the last 3 months.

The family had to pay half the cost of the operation which they did after selling off their belongings and the other half was provided by Needy heart foundation. The family stayed in the hospital itself for 3 months supported by the hospital. Even after the surgery the baby needs to be supplied oxygen support throughout the day. The baby has now been shifted to Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital. The discharge date has not been fixed and they will remain in the hospital till she starts breathing by herself without the help of the oxygen support. Even after the operation the family is still struggling with their financials being from a poor family background.

The patient’s parents are very grateful to the hospital for providing them food and shelter in their difficult situation as well as a ray of hope for the baby’s survival. They are overjoyed and grateful that NHF continues to fund and give financial and emotional support which has eased their situation.

-Luniwa & Govind