Life is now smooth for 'Bombay blood' kid

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, Nov 6 (UNI) A seven-year-old, belonging to a local impoverished family, has undergone successful surgery at Bangaluru for sealing a congenital hole in his heart and the operation was made more complex as the boy has the extremely rare Bombay blood type.

The surgery was performed by a team of doctors, led by Dr Devi Shetty, at Narayan Hrudayalaya in October end.

Arvind Baghel celebrated his birthday yesterday. For his father Ashwini, collecting money for the operation was easier when compared to collecting blood as the type is found in about 1:50,00,000 population. In India, only about 50 people have been identified with the type.

Funds were arranged for by the Chhattisgarh government, the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and South-Eastern Coalfields Ltd.

Well-wishers ran from pillar to post for about six months searching for people with the blood type.

Three businessmen having the Bombay blood type reached Bangaluru, aided Arvind and even formed a Bombay Blood Club after the surgery.

UNI