Only 10 centres, of which a majority are private, across the country are equipped with specialised care units for paediatric cardiac cases, say experts.

“The commonest cause of death of children in their first year is cardiac diseases. People lack awareness and information about these diseases. More government-funded centres in paediatric cardiac care such as AIIMS, New Delhi, and PGIMER, Chandigarh, should be set up across the country,” said Dr Snehal Kulkarni, secretary, Paediatric Cardiac Society of India.

Highlighting the north-south disparity relating to the paediaitric cardiac cases and their treatment, Dr K Shiva Prakash said the number of paediatric surgeries are reported more in southern states due to greater awareness among people, which in turn reflect the higher development indices of these states.

“Paediatric cardiac cases are often not detected at all, and if detected they are mostly not operated. In cases when they are operated, they are not followed up properly. Among the children born with heart diseases every year across the country, 7,000-8000 are operated,” said Dr Prakash.