Odisha signs MoU with PMSRF for free cardiac treatment of children

Odisha government has signed an MoU with Prasanti Medical Services and Research Foundation (PMSRF) for extension of free cardiac treatment services to poor children, official sources said on Friday.

agreement will remain in force for next two years at Satya Sai Heart Hospital in Ahmedabad. poor and needy children will immensely benefit from agreement, y said.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Justice Vineet Saran, Judge, Supreme Court of India, Justice Mohammad Rafiq, Chief Justice of Orissa High Court, Justice Kalpesh Jhaveri, former Chief Justice of Orissa HC and state Health and Family Welfare Minister NK Das were present during signing of MoU on Thursday.

hospital was roped in on vember 18, 2018, for providing free treatment to children of Odisha with cardiac ailments. As per agreement, state government identifies and bears transportation cost of ailing children.

"All services are provided free of cost. Till w, 1,019 children have undergone cardiac surgery and cured of ir heart ailments," an official said, adding that next batch of children with cardiac ailments will be sent for treatment soon after a brief pause due to COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Patnaik said that his government is committed to make all efforts for fulfilling healthcare needs of our people, especially under-privileged and under-served, in an equitable, accessible, affordable, transparent and time-bound manner.

One such remarkable step in this direction has been to ensure that poor people of Odisha get free cardiac treatment and are given a new lease of life, he added.

Expressing happiness over free treatment of more than 1,000 patients from state with cardiac defects since agreement with PMSRF a couple of years back, chief minister commended foundation for its commitment to serve humanity.

In appreciation of this effort, state government is renewing MoU to ensure that poor people of state continue to receive this critical health service, chief minister said.

Supreme Court Judge Justice Vineet Saran described Odisha as his second home. Its his privilege to work anything for state, he added.

Justice Sara was, in fact, person who introduced PMSRF to Odisha.

Orissa HC Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq appreciated selfless, charitable commitment of state government and Satya Sai Heart Hospital. He said that re is higher religion than service to humanity.

Health and Family Welfare Minister reiterated state government's commitment to serve people from weaker sections of society.

Managing Trustee of Satya Sai Heart Hospital Maj Bhimani gave a brief account of services extended by institution.

All pre and post-operative care of patients at hospital, including medicines, stents, coils and ors are borne by foundation. transport assistance is provided by state government to patients along with escorts referred to PMSRF, as per ir eligibility under different government schemes implemented in state, Das said.

(Im credit: PTI)