While addressing the mediapersons, Dr Mankad, who will operate 12 children with heart disease at Grecian Hospital, Mohali said, "In 99 pc of cases there is no cause known for this condition. While many children exhibit signs and symptoms of heart trouble right after the time of birth, others take couple of years to be detected as what we call "heart patients"."

Dr Mankad, who will visit India once after every two months, said,"I am ready to perform free-of-cost heart surgeries on children in any hospital of India if hospital authorities approach me. There is dire need of charitable work in India."

Dr Shivpreet Singh Samra, Managing Director, Grecian Hospital, Mohali, claimed, "Grecian Hospital is the only hospital beyond Delhi, capable of successfully conducting the child heart surgeries. Dr Pankaj Mankad is a senior heart surgeon who has been working in UK since 1983. He has been consultant at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary since 1990 and specializes in operating on complex heart diseases of children. He shall be operating at Grecian Hospital, Mohali every two months. He will be here till July 10, 2009 and shall return in September."

Although a lot of facilities exist for heart surgery in adults, there is no dedicated facility for children's hearts in North India, said Dr Samra.

He said, "Out of 12 children to be operated by Dr Mankad, seven have been given the discount while five will pay full amount of surgery. However, it is Chandigarh administration which has come forward for paying for the seven children. DR Mankad will not charge his fee for the surgery." He further said that patients had to go to Delhi. This is very expensive and inconvenient. The cost for such surgeries is about Re 2.5 lakh in private hospitals.

Dr Samra said, "The children from poor and middle-income groups end up succumbing to the ailment. Over the past three years, Grecian Hospital has carried out 74 surgeries on children with heart defects. All those who wish to get their children treated by him should approach Grecian Hospital at 098146 10390/ 0 98550 70390. Depending on complexity of the case and financial situation of patient, discounts can be offered as well."

Signs and symptoms

Parents should be aware of signs and symptoms such as baby not feeding well, getting tired or sweating while feeding because of the extra efforts needed to eat, having repeated chest infections, unexplained fever, not putting on enough weight or not growing properly. Those children with mixing of blood appear dark or blue depending on skin pigmentation. This gives blue or purple hue to the skin. In some children, a buzzing sound is felt when hand is placed on the chest.

In 90% of children, a pediatrician is able to hear a murmur (abnormal heart sound) while examining the child with a stethoscope. An echocardiogram or ECG is done to help diagnose the defect.