Bajura, February 16

A toddler who was suffering from a heart problem but couldn't be treated earlier due to lack of funds has finally received treatment in Kathmandu.

Durga Devi Rawat's 14-month-old son Sandip Rawat of Dogadi, Ward No 5 of Khaptadchhededaha Rural Municipality, Bajura, couldn't be treated earlier as his family couldn't afford it.

After a news story was published in this daily, a Kathmandu-based organisation rescued the child from Bajura and brought him to the capital for treatment.

With the support of Medical Rehabilitation Organisation, the child underwent open-heart surgery at Manamohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Centre. 'After the child's successful treatment he was discharged by the hospital,' said the organisation's Chairperson Samrat Singh Basnet, adding that all the expenses for treatment and accommodation of the child and his kin in the capital was covered by the organisation.

'Besides the heart problem, he was under-weight. Though there was risk in the surgery, he is now convalescing,' said a doctor who was involved in the treatment of the child.

After he was diagnosed with a hole in his heart at Bajura District Hospital, the child was referred to Kathmandu.

To cover the fare to Kathmandu, Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality had provided Rs 50,000 assistance to his family.

A version of this article appears in the print on February 17, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.