The Assam government on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Prashanti Medical Services and Research Foundation of Rajkot, Gujarat, for free treatment of needy cardiac patients.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said during the MoU signing function that the partnership would facilitate free advanced treatment for 500 children and 500 adults with heart-related ailments at the Sri Sathya Sai Heart Hospitals located in Gujarat’s Rajkot and Ahmedabad cities.
The partnership is for two years but “it will go on” and the number of patients will also go up, Sarma said, adding that the Foundation will bear the cost of treatment while the state government will foot the travelling and related expenses of patients and attendants. The incumbent Gauhati High Court Chief Justice R.M. Chhaya played a key role in the partnership.
This is the second initiative of the state government in cardiac care. The state health and family welfare department has been bearing expenses for the treatment of children with congenital heart disease at the Narayana Hrudayalaya, Bangalore, Calcutta and Guwahati, among others, since 2010.
By March, the figure of children treated will touch 10,000, the chief minister said.
While expressing his gratitude to the Foundation and the hospital authorities, Sarma also revealed that Chief Justice Chhaya, who will demit office on January 10, had helped the government get in touch with the hospitals.
Conveying his gratitude to the Chief Justice for his support and cooperation in the inking of the pact, Sarma said: “This is the third contribution of Chief Justice beyond his own field. He encouraged us to launch the school on wheels project for street children, which we have successfully implemented. He has also guided us to take innovative steps on improving the condition of prisons. Today this (free cardiac care) is his third contribution.”
Sarma added: “These are welcome deviations from one’s own field. We will remember his tremendous contribution to the state in such a short tenure. We are blessed, we are inspired and I would like to record our deep appreciation for honourable Chief Justice Chhaya (for his contributions).”
Chhaya assumed charge in June 2022.
AIIMS advice
Bhubaneswar: Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday urged the students of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, to pursue their careers with the spirit of “seva” (service).
Addressing students on the 4th annual convocation of AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, Dr Mandaviya said: “Because of the doctor’s selfless attitude, India has emerged as one of the major destinations in health service. In the coming days, many medical institutions in India will collaborate with foreign countries to provide health care to their people.”
SUBHASHISH MOHANTY
