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Pakistani baby back home after open heart surgery in India
DUBAI - Four-month-old Ridda Zahra Naqvi, the Pakistani baby with a winning smile, who travelled to India last month for a heart surgery is back home, hale and hearty, thanks to the successful operation and post-operative care, says her Sharjah-based father, Qaiser Naqvi.
On her birth, Ridda was diagnosed with a complete A.V. canal with single valve, a congenital heart problem that requires an open heart surgery.
“The surgery was performed successfully by Dr K.M. Cherian at the Cherian Heart Foundation in Madras, and after keeping Ridda in the intensive care unit (ICU) for four days, she was shifted to the general ward,” said the father, the happiness writ clearly on his face as he spoke to Khaleej Times about his fears, pain and finally the sheer joy of having his daughter back home.
“We were very worried about our daughter who had to be operated upon within six months,” he added.
According to the cardiac surgeon, patches had been placed in Ridda’s heart to make separate valves.
Naqvi also said that the President of India, Dr Abdul Kalam also happened to visit the hospital during Ridda’s stay. “The Indian president was very kind and paid us a special visit once he learnt that we were from Pakistan and had travelled all the way from Dubai for the operation,” he said.
When little Ridda was born in Zulekha Hospital, Sharjah, doctors were unable to detect her failing condition. The couple was then referred to doctor K.M. Cherian. “We were told that in India facilities were good and affordable,” said Naqvi.
“Dr Cherian is a pioneer paediatrician cardiologist surgeon who has conducted heart operations for 20 Iraqi children (blue-babies) free of cost,” he said, adding that the doctor has also operated upon Pakistani babies earlier as well.
Naqvi also said that after the operation, Ridda was as active as any baby of her age could be.
“Dr Abdullah Al Khayat, Director of Al Wasl Hospital, Dubai will monitor Ridda’s progress for three months and after that her medication will also be stopped,” he said.
Explaining the difference in costs, Naqvi said that such an operation would have cost $35,000 in the UK; but in India, the cost came up to $8,000 which was affordable.
“Thank God for the improved relations between Pakistan and India. The Indian medical field is both hopeful and helpful for Pakistani nationals,” he said.
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