Children thank Karunanidhi for giving fresh lease of life

Chennai, Aug 18 (UNI) Eleven children, who underwent heart surgeries with financial assistance from Tamil Nadu Government, under the 'School Children Heart Surgery Scheme,' today called on Chief Minister M Karunandhi and thanked him for giving them fresh lease of lives.

The children, accompanied by their parents, called on the Chief Minister at the Secretariat and expressed their gratitude, an official release here said.

They were among the 30 children, who had underwent heart surgeries, by availing government assistance under the scheme in Dindigul district, which topped the list in utilising the scheme in the state.

The state government had launched the special scheme on June three, on the occasion of the 85th birthday of Mr Karunanidhi.

So far, 162 school children have benefitted by the scheme, it said.

After special camps conducted in schools, it was found that 9,986 children had heart problems and 2,396 of them required surgeries.

Steps had been taken to perform the surgeries in 17 recognised private hospitals with financial assistance from the state government.

The government, in November last, had launched a similar scheme for poor children and so far, under the two schemes, 456 children have benefitted, the release added.

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