SOCAN (Solution for Cardiac Afflicted Needy)

All the children were detected in camps. They had difficulties in getting funds for transportation from their native district to tertiary center at Public Health Centre. We helped them and allowed them to stay in shelter offered by a philantropic organization called Help us Trust.

Jothika was from tribal family. She feared surgery and so did the family. It was very difficult to convince them. However they looked up for advice to their generous leader who convinced them. She was about to be married and had fears. Her fiancee accompanied her each time and took care of her. You can see the shy but joyful jothika with her fiancee. They will be married soon.

Gopala Krishanan's mother died as soon as he was born. His father tended him with atmost care and was both father and mother to him. The agony he went through when Gopala Krishnan was getting operated should be seen to be belived. You can see his caressing glance at Gopala Krishnan after he became well post surgery.

Suryakala was a small girl of 8years when she underwent a repair of a mitral valve 10 years ago. Periodical follow-up showed that she was gradually deteriorating due to increase in valve leak. She underwent Mitral Valve Replacement. You can see her smile with self-esteem.

Tulsi was a flustered girl for she thought she had a heart condition and that she may die at any time. Her parents were also in a shocked state. You can see all three of them beaming with happiness after surgery. Their environment has not changed. Yet their are ready to face any challenges.

Govind wanted to become a mechanic because he did not have any interest in studies. When his parents scolded him for lack of concentration in studies, he secretly kept his ambitition on hold. When the doctor told them that he needed surgery, he was terribly frightened. The fear in his eyes was palbable. After surgery you can still see semblance of fear in his eyes. Now he has courage to tell us that he wants to become a mechanic.

Charumathi was born a blue baby.  Her sufferings, her inability to walk, her difficulty to take part in anything lasting for more than 10 mins & failure to thrive, tore the parents hearts. They landed with us after going through plenty of financial difficulties. Yet they were determined to see their child alive and well. She had a complex heart disease which required a long preparation as  she was anemic, malnourished and hypoprotenmic. With the help of Hematologist , Pediatrician & Pediatric Cardiologist she was adequately prepared for surgery. However, she went through a stormy post-operative period due to community sepsis. She fought against all odds and you can see her well. Her parents are extremly grateful to GlobalGiving and the donors who had made their darling daughter as she is today  - " Looking Cute & Pretty Pink"

Naughty Prabakaran exasperated his parents not only because of his behaviour but also because the doctor told them that he had a hole in the heart. They shed helpless tears of sorrow due to the paucity of funds. It is at such times that one weeps at misfortunes. Thanks to GlobalGiving and the donors. Prabakaran is back to his naughty self. Now he wants to become an IPS officer one day to see the end of all terrorist in the world.

Conclusion:

These 7 children's lives have been restored to them by the kind hearted donors and GlobalGiving. Each child has a story to tell to be etched in the memories of the donors who are their saviours.

Links:

• http://www.h4h.in

• Beneficiaries for a Vulnerable Population (PDF)
  

5 Stages of SOCAN (Solution for Cardiac afflicted Needy)

 SOCAN Project at Public Health Centre offers detection of cardiac diseases at camps, awareness creation, transportation & shelter, preparation & surgery for patients who earn less than $ 1049/year. Periodical follow-up with impact study of surgery on the individual, family & society is on-line. This project report will study each stage of SOCAN in detail, in series..

Cardiac analysis of a tiny tot in the camp

We are about to get this portable Echocardiography machine through funding organizations. In the meanwhile we had difficulties in getting the patients from far to come to Public Health Centre. Mindray Company allowed us to use one of their machines for the above camp. You can see its value. We acknowledge their support.

Camp

Less privileged in India is our target population .We go to camps held at the district level. There are 32 districts in Tamilnadu.India has 29 states & 7 union territories. Medical officers from 30,000 Primary Health Centres (2000 in remote areas) collect new- borns, infants, children & adults with cardiac diseases for selection for Cardiac Surgery. Selected are sent to Government hospitals. 7 day package cardiac surgeries are funded by the Government of State of Tamilnadu as a scheme called CMCHIS (Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme) under which there is a Public- Private Partnership.

SOCAN began in Tamilnadu with patients also from neighbouring states such as Andhra & Kerala. Since SOCAN is holistic & involves more expenses, multi-source funding is the solution for other expenses

Ram

7 year old Ram a kid from Kerala was operated for a hole in the heart . He returned after 1 month with a gaping skin wound due to lack of proteins. It took nearly a month for the wound to heal with supportive protein therapy. Beaming Ram is showing off his scar after the Second surgery. His carpenter father made aound $ 90 to 135 / month for a family of 4 with a loan of around $300/- and interest of $40/ month.Ram underwent surgery costing $ 3000/- that included his second hospital stay. 10 donors saved his life.