Pune: A three-month-old girl from Pune, Snehal Shelke, who was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, recently underwent free heart surgery under the government’s Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).
Snehal’s parents initially struggled with medical expenses, as the surgery would have cost between ₹3-4 lakh. However, with the help of an Anganwadi worker, they were connected to RBSK Team No. 5 in Khed, which guided them through the process. Her surgery was successfully performed at Jupiter Hospital, Baner, on February 22.
Snehal is one of hundreds of children in Pune district who have received life-saving surgeries under RBSK. In 2024 alone, 269 children benefited from free heart surgeries, while in the past five years, 982 children have been treated for various congenital defects.
The program provides free medical treatment for 14 congenital conditions, including heart defects, hernia, cleft lip, and squint eyes. Over 73 RBSK teams are actively working across Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and rural areas, conducting biannual screenings at Anganwadis and annual checkups in schools.
How Parents Can Avail Free Treatment
Parents seeking treatment under RBSK must provide:
Aadhaar Card (for child & parents)
Ration Card
Bonafide school certificate (if applicable)
For children diagnosed with congenital heart defects, the program covers conditions such as:
Atrial Septal Defect (ASD)
Coarctation of Aorta
Pulmonary Stenosis
Tetralogy of Fallot
Dr. Ashok Bargaje, Medical Officer, RBSK Team No. 5, explained the urgency of treating congenital heart defects: "When a child has a hole in the heart, oxygenated and deoxygenated blood mix, reducing the oxygen supply to the body. This leads to fatigue, frequent illness, and breathlessness. The larger the hole, the sooner surgery is required."
The RBSK initiative, led by District Surgeon Dr. Nagnath Yampalle and Resident Medical Officer Dr. Vandana Joshi, continues to provide essential free medical care to children across Pune district.