- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Tue, 13 May 2025 04:09 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Mukhyamantri Bal Hriday Yojana has emerged as a vital lifeline for children in Bihar suffering from congenital heart defects, including holes in the heart. Between April 2024 and March 2025, a total of 763 children received successful, free-of-cost surgeries under the scheme.
The initiative, implemented at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology (IGIC) and Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), identifies children with congenital heart conditions through systematic screenings and ensures they receive timely surgical intervention.
Congenital heart disease remains a significant concern in the state. According to medical studies, nine out of every hundred children born in Bihar are affected, with approximately 25 per cent of them requiring surgical treatment within their first year.
To address this, the state government provides free treatment and surgery for children aged 0 to 18 years under the Bal Hriday Yojana. The scheme was launched under the Saat Nischay-2 programme and approved by the cabinet on January 5, 2021. It officially came into effect on April 1, 2021, following an agreement signed on February 13 between the Health Department and Prashanti Medical Services and Research Foundation—a charitable trust hospital based in Ahmedabad.
The Bihar government bears all expenses related to the child’s treatment, starting from the initial screening to the final surgical procedures. For children under the age of six, travel and accommodation expenses for the mother and one accompanying relative are also covered.
Additionally, when treatment is carried out in designated trust-run or private hospitals outside the state, the government provides a transport allowance of Rs 5,000 to the child patient and Rs 10,000 to the accompanying family members. Coordinators are assigned to assist families throughout the treatment process and ensure the safe return of children post-surgery.
This comprehensive approach aims to reduce the mortality and long-term complications arising from congenital heart conditions, reaffirming the government's commitment to strengthening pediatric healthcare in Bihar.
