Good Samaritan comes to the rescue of a child with Congenital Heart Disease

Ludhiana, April 14, 2018: Dr.Harinder Singh Bedi, Chairman Cardiac Sciences at the Ludhiana Mediways Hospital, diagnosed Aftaab Hussain, a six year old male child and resident of Mullanpur with a congenital heart defect-a large Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA). Parents of the child, Naseem Ansari and Saira Bano told Dr.H.S.Bedi that their son had difficulty in breathing and an abnormally loud heart beat since the time of his birth. Naseem, a daily wager by profession, had consulted a few city hospitals for the treatment of his child. His local doctor in Mullanpur referred him to Dr. Bedi, who has worked in Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, Australia. After examining the child and doing his Echocardiograph, the cardiovascular surgeon decided that the child needed immediate heart surgery as the congenital defect was causing damage to his heart as well as lungs.

The whole treatment would cost Rupees one lakh to the patient. Time was of the essence as a delay in treatment would have meant a heart-lung transplant for Aftaab. Dr. Bedi offered concession as well as financial help to the patient. Naseem also approached Mr. Gurnaam Singh Sekhon, an NRI from Canada, who was coincidentally on a visit to India. The Good Samaritan, who was a school teacher in Ludhiana before going to Calgary Canada, met Dr. Bedi and immediately offered to pay the whole amount for the child’s treatment.

Dr. H.S. Bedi successfully performed Aftaab’s delicate heart surgery on 10th April 2018 after meticulous planning. The heart surgeon remarked that this child patient’s congenital heart defect (PDA) was one of the largest he had ever seen. The patient’s heart and lungs have started recovering fast after the surgery. According to Dr. Bedi, Aftaab should have a normal life span now and should be able to follow any profession he desires.

The child’s father said that he takes care of Mr. Gurnam Singh’s house in Mullanpur, when the N.R.I is in Canada. Dr. Baldip Singh and Mr. G.S. Kular, Chairman and Managing Director respectively of Ludhiana Mediways Hospital thanked Mr Gurnam Singh for his philanthropy.