Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), in collaboration with 'Healing Little Hearts', has performed 19 complex pediatric heart surgeries free of cost, saving families from exorbitant private hospital bills.

  • 19 complex heart surgeries performed free for children aged 2 months to 13 years.
  • Private hospital costs for these procedures range from ₹5 lakh to ₹20 lakh.
  • Approximately 1,000 children were screened during the week-long camp.
  • ECMO services are now available for the first time under the Aarogyasri scheme at NIMS.

In a monumental effort to provide accessible healthcare, the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad has concluded its fifth pediatric cardiac surgery camp. The initiative provided critical, cashless heart surgeries to 19 children, ranging in age from two months to 13 years, who otherwise would have faced bills between ₹5 lakh and ₹20 lakh at private healthcare facilities.

The surgeries were executed by the NIMS Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in a strategic partnership with Healing Little Hearts. The specialized surgical team was led by renowned UK-based pediatric cardiac surgeon Dr. Ramana Dhanapuneni, while the institutional effort was headed by Dr. M. Amaresh Rao, Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery at NIMS.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis indicates that the disparity in pediatric cardiac care in India is stark. While the technology exists, the cost remains a prohibitive barrier for the vast majority of the population. The NIMS-Healing Little Hearts collaboration serves as a scalable blueprint for how public hospitals can leverage international expertise to bridge the gap in specialized care. By integrating these camps into the public health framework, the burden on underprivileged families is significantly reduced, ensuring that survival is not determined by financial status.

"Congenital heart disease is common and the cost of paediatric cardiac surgery in private hospitals can be prohibitive for many families... Hope for the poor is public sector hospitals like NIMS." - Dr. Ramana Dhanapuneni

The scope of the camp extended far beyond the 19 surgeries. A massive screening drive saw around 1,000 children evaluated. While some required only minimally invasive interventions, others were identified for complex open-heart surgeries. Dr. Amaresh noted that over 100 children are still awaiting surgery, with dates already allotted for their procedures.

Since the partnership began in 2023, NIMS has hosted five such camps, resulting in approximately 80 successful surgeries. NIMS Director Rahul Devraj expressed his commitment to continuing this institutional support, urging Dr. Ramana's team to visit twice a year to tackle the growing backlog of cases.

Adding to the institutional capabilities, NIMS has now integrated ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) services under the Aarogyasri scheme. This means that high-end life support, which is typically available only in elite private hospitals, is now accessible to eligible patients free of cost.

Feature Private Hospitals NIMS (Camp Basis)
Estimated Cost ₹5 Lakh - ₹20 Lakh Free / Cashless
Accessibility High Income Groups Underprivileged / General Public
Expertise Private Specialists International & Govt Specialists
Did You Know?: ECMO is a sophisticated machine that takes over the functions of the heart and lungs, allowing them to rest and heal during critical illness or surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: How many children have benefited from these camps so far?
A: A total of approximately 80 children have undergone successful surgeries across five camps since 2023.

Q2: Is the ECMO facility available to all patients at NIMS?
A: It is available to eligible patients free of cost under the provisions of the Aarogyasri scheme.