Madhya Pradesh: PM SHRI air ambulance gave new lease of life to infant from Vidisha suffering from critical heart condition
Vidisha: Hope arrived from the skies for Veeru Kushwaha and his family. His two-and-a-half-month-old daughter, Avni—who had been suffering from a severe heart condition since birth—was transported to Ahmedabad for advanced treatment via the PM SHRI Air Ambulance service, with the assistance of local health officials.
Avni, a resident of Tyonda village in Ganj Basoda block, had initially been referred by Bhopal Medical College to a super-specialty hospital for critical cardiac treatment. However, the family's financial situation and the distance involved made securing the necessary treatment seem difficult.
The turning point came on June 29, when Avni's father visited the District Early Intervention Center under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK). After reviewing her medical records, officials deemed the case an emergency and immediately informed the Chief Medical and Health Officer.
Acting on the instructions of Collector Anshul Gupta and senior health officials, rapid arrangements were made to transport the infant to the U.N. Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre in Ahmedabad using the PM SHRI Air Ambulance service.
On July 1, an RBSK team comprising Dr. Aarti Khatri, paramedic Narendra Dangi, and driver Mubin Khan took Avni and her parents to Bhopal's Raja Bhoj Airport, from where she was airlifted to Ahmedabad.
Avni will receive treatment free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, providing significant financial relief to her family. Officials stated that this case demonstrates how the concerted efforts of the district administration, the Health Department, and RBSK can ensure that critically ill children receive timely and superior medical care, regardless of their family's financial status.