Pune: Two young siblings from Dhamane Primary School successfully underwent life-saving heart surgeries at Jupiter Hospital, Pune, thanks to the joint efforts of the National Child Health Program (NCHP) team, teachers, and healthcare professionals.
The children, Saksham Manoj Chitte (7 years) and Samiksha Manoj Chitte (9 years), were diagnosed with heart conditions during a school health check-up and were provided with the necessary treatment. Both children are now recovering well.
A school health screening camp was organized at Dhamane Zilla Parishad Primary School under the National Child Health Program (NCHP). During the check-up, doctors detected congenital heart defects in Saksham and Samiksha Chitte. The condition was serious, and the children required immediate medical intervention. The findings were conveyed to the school principal and teachers, who took the responsibility of guiding the family through the next steps.
The two children lost their mother at a young age and are being raised by their grandmother and father. Their father’s financial condition made it impossible for him to seek treatment at a specialized hospital. Given these difficulties, the teachers of Dhamane School came forward to ensure the children received the medical care they needed.
With the teachers' support, both children were taken to Jupiter Hospital, Pune, where a thorough medical evaluation confirmed the need for ASD closure heart surgeries. The necessary documents and medical approvals were arranged with the help of the school staff and the NCHP medical team. The surgeries were successfully performed at Jupiter Hospital, Baner (Pune), and both children are now in stable condition.
Key contributors included:
Dr. Amol Pardhe (Medical Officer, NCHP Khed Center 1)
Dr. Sneha Bhondve
Pharmacist Reshma Bhujbal
Nurse Suvarna Salve
District Coordinator Ashish Purnale
Teachers Mangal Pingle, Amar Kedari, and Gorakh Navale
School Principal DharmaRaj Pavale
