PMO directs Delhi Govt. to save life of 12-year-old Agra heart patient

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has given a young heart patient from Agra a reason to smile despite her hardships, by ensuring that she gets treated free of cost.

Twelve-year-old Taiyba wrote a letter to the PMO hoping to lighten the heavy financial burden on her father to meet the cost of her treatment.

The PMO has now directed the office of the Chief Secretary in New Delhi to ensure that Taiyba receives treatment irrespective of any financial constraints.

Taiyba suffers from congenital heart disease which causes abnormality in the structure of the heart and the great vessels.

Her father, a daily wage worker at a shoe factory, earns just enough to either fund the expenses of Taiyba's medicines or look after his family of five, including Taiyba.

"I had spoken to my mother that dad is always tensed and I had seen on television that the Prime Minister helps everybody. Even I am an Indian citizen and have the right to live. So, this idea struck me that I should write to the Prime Minister for help," said Taiyba.

She has been on medication for years now, as her condition has so far not allowed her to stay off medicines.

Her family doctor, Doctor S.K. Kalra, said the treatment required by her is not available in Agra and she has been suggested to head to Delhi for the same.

"When this girl first came to me four to five years ago, she was diagnosed with congenital heart disease, due to which the valves were defected and the big arteries were not in the right place. Due to this,

she often contracts cold and cough, suffers from anaemia, breathlessness and proper growth was not taking place. Her condition required special treatment which is not available in Agra and is quite

expensive," said Dr. Kalra.

Her family reached out to several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) in the city, but somehow, not enough money could be raised for her treatment, which costs around Rs.1.5 to Rs. 2 million.

The Delhi government in turn has directed the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in the city to initiate Taiyba's treatment. Tests conducted so far show that she would recover completely after the treatment.

Her parents said they are grateful to the Prime Minister for his help.

Meanwhile, their daughter, a student of the third standard, says she wants to be a banker when she grows up to put an end to her family's economic hardships.