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“The hospital we took our child to was very crowded. They didn’t even have enough beds to admit patients, let alone take in our critically ill son. 2 children, who were just around our child’s age, died in front of us and we were terrified that Shanmukh might meet the same fate if we don’t do anything immediately.”- Srilakshmi, mother
Kesava and Srilakshmi rushed their baby boy to a bigger hospital in an ambulance, where he was immediately admitted to the ICU on a ventilator.
He needs urgent surgery or his heart will fail
8-month-old Shanmukh was diagnosed with pneumonia and was put under observation for a week but despite the right medicines, his condition didn't improve. On further testing, it was found that he suffers from Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension(PAH), both of which have now led to this boy’s heart failing.PDA is a persistent opening between the two major blood vessels leading from the heart. The opening usually closes shortly after birth, but in Shanmukh’s case, it didn’t. PAH is a type of high blood pressure that affects arteries in the lungs and in the heart. The little boy needs urgent surgery to rectify his condition.
“The doctors say that he has a heart defect, because of which my child is highly susceptible to infection. Right now, the defect is the reason why my child is not able to recover from pneumonia. It’s been almost a month he is covered in all these tubes, bedridden and unable to breathe on his own. His heart is failing and I can't afford the surgery needed to take him back home safe and healthy.” - Kesava, father
They are struggling to afford the surgery, you can help
Kesava is an MBA graduate who is preparing for government exams. Currently, he is working as a security guard for a living. With limited means, he is unable to afford the cost of his child’s treatment which will cost an additional 10 lakh rupees.“I used up all my savings, took loans and begged for help. Now all that money I gathered is gone and I have nothing else left to continue his treatment. Doctors say that he needs the surgery at the earliest, but I can’t afford it. I don’t want to lose him... If that happens, I’ll never be able to forgive myself.” - Kesava
