'Lifeline' to perform paediatric surgeries for weaker sections

Chennai, Jun 20 (UNI)The 225 - bed Lifeline Multi Speciality Hospital at suburban Perungudi has been identified by the Tamil Nadu government as one of the 18 hospitals in the state to perform paediatric surgeries for economically weaker sections of the society.

Hospital Chairman Dr J S Rajkumar told newspersons here today that the hospital had already performed 15 free surgeries for which the state government would sponsor 20 per cent of the cost to the tune of Rs 30,000.

''We have done six surgeries during the last two days. We are planning to conduct 200 to 300 surgeries in the next one year,'' he added.

Dr Rajkumar said to raise funds for this programme, the hospital has signed a MoU with Temple University, Philadelphia, for conducting periodic academic exchange programme for its doctors, to perform paediatric heart surgeries for the poor and raise funds for the scheme.

''This partnership created between the government, hospital and international donors should be augmented by local donors, because the end advantage goes to children,'' Dr Russo said.

''The 20 per cent government aid for the programme might be nominal, but it is significant from political and social point of view as every year 4000 children are born with conginetal heart diseases in Chennai alone. But several of them die before going to hospital,'' he said.

Under the MoU, the Lifeline hospital and Temple University would also take up research on stem cell for developing therapy for myopic cardiac problems, liver failure and spinal chord treatment.

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