Sarva Siksha Abhiyan gives 75 children a new lease of life

More than 75 children from Mansa district, Ludhiana, have been treated for congenital heart defects (hole in heart), cancer, paralysis and polio free of cost after they registered through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan which allows for free treatment in PGI, Chandigarh and DMCH, Ludhiana. Mansa DC Amit Dakha said that a total of 513 schools are covered under SSA and 2,844 children are currently undergoing treatment for various ailments.

Sapna, a 6-year-old girl from Mansa, who till last year could not attend school because of a congenital heart defect (hole in her heart), is now hale and hearty and can now take part in various sports events. Her parents had been unable to foot the bill for their daughter. Satpal Singh, Sap'a's father, said" "Last year, Sapna was diagnosed with a hole in her heart and we were shocked.

"We could not afford the treatment. We registered through SSA and were able to get Sapna treated from DMCH. Now Sapna is leading a normal life."

Another beneficiary, Akshay (who suffered from a similar ailment) was unable to play cricket as he was always short of breath.

His father, a daily wager, could not arrange Rs 3 lakh for his treatment. However, once they registered with SSA Akshay underwent the surgery and is now busy preparing for his Class X boards.

So far SSA has successfully helped 16 children suffering from the defect.

Patients of congenital heart defects, however, are not the only beneficiaries of the scheme. Two cancer patients — Gurpreet Kaur and Gurlal — are also getting treatment, while 55 surgeries of polio and paralysis have been done in the past year. Mentally-handicapped children are also provided treatment under the scheme.

Dakha appealed to parents to avail this scheme in case their children suffer from any ailment and are unable to afford the treatment" "Travel and food expenses of parents is also paid by SSA once they start treating the patien"," informed the DC.

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