The Healers Journal: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery in India- Where Expertise Meets Compassion

In India, where over 200,000 children are born each year with congenital heart disease (CHD), pediatric cardiac surgery has evolved into a crucial pillar of the healthcare system. We have made remarkable strides in addressing these complex conditions through advances in medical technology, improved infrastructure, and the admirable dedication of skilled professionals. Despite the challenges, India is increasingly becoming a global destination for life-saving interventions in children.

Pediatric cardiac surgery refers to the surgical treatment of heart defects in infants, children, adolescents and at times even adults with congenital heart disease. These defects mostly are congenital i.e. present at birth or acquired due to infections or other medical conditions.

Common surgeries include:

• Atrial and ventricular septal defect repair
• Tetralogy of Fallot repair
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure
• Coarctation of the aorta repair
• Complex single ventricle repairs (e.g., Fontan procedure)

These procedures are delicate and require highly specialized skills, teamwork and infrastructure due to the tiny size and fragility of the patients.

Indian healthcare landscape has transformed significantly over the past two decades. Many private and public hospitals have developed robust and sustainable, world-class pediatric cardiac programs. These institutions are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and run by highly trained pediatric cardiac surgeons, cardiologists and the whole bunch of people dedicated to mending little hearts of our future generation.

India offers pediatric cardiac surgery at a fraction of the cost compared to the West. A surgery that might cost over $100,000 in the U.S. can be done for as low as $2,000–$10,000 in India, depending on the complexity of the disease and hospital. Despite the lower cost, most hospitals maintain global standards of care with outcomes at par with international standards or sometimes even better! India’s affordability, accessibility and medical expertise have attracted Sfamilies from Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia seeking treatment for their children. Several hospitals provide visa support, accommodation, and multilingual staff to cater to the needs of international patients let alone our own, upholding the fabric of our traditional core – “Samastah Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu (May all beings in all the worlds be blessed.)

Initiatives like the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), support from children heart foundations India such as Heart-to-Heart Foundation, Genesis Foundation, an NGO working for congenital heart disease, Rotary Club and CSR initiatives play a critical role in funding surgeries for underprivileged children. Ensuring even the poorest families have access to treatment and a much deserved second chance at life.

Despite this progress, lacunae persist, needing more awareness and active intervention. Most of our tertiary care centers are in urban areas, making access difficult for remote populations. Relative to the number of children needing care, we have a deficit of trained doctors and health care workers willing to work for the cause without expecting much in return. As a result of high demand and limited access, children often wait weeks or months for life-saving surgery, which can be fatal in critical cases.

To drive better outcomes and equitable care, we need more decentralized care models to bring cardiac surgery closer to rural areas without compromising the standard of care – a difficult but do-able task. Increased training programs and financially fulfilling opportunities to add on to the work force. Public-private partnerships that increase funding and infrastructure development at par with global standards. Awareness campaigns at ground level to promote early detection and intervention.

India’s pediatric cardiac surgery landscape reflects a blend of challenge and opportunity. With limited resources and ever-increasing demand, the country’s commitment to innovation, affordability, and compassionate care is making a world of difference in the lives of countless children. Continued investment and systemic reforms can lead India to ensure that every child with a heart defect—regardless of background—has a fighting chance at life!

Dr. Deepti Kakkar
Paediatric Cardiac Surgeon
Apollo Hospital, Gandhinagar, Gujarat