“We have a small farm by the Ganga and that is our only source of income. We earn some money only once in six months. It all depends on the weather – even now, the weather is not good for the crop. Whatever happens, all we want is to save our child- she was born to us after 18 years of marriage. She is our miracle baby. Everything else comes after.” – Bheesham Singh, Subhi's father.

Subhi was born with multiple heart defects, needs surgery at the earliest 

Last year, when Subhi would not eat or play even as she turned one, her parents knew that something was very wrong. From their village Paswada, they took her to Delhi for treatment. Subhi was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a rare condition caused by a combination of four heart defects that are present at birth. Tetralogy of Fallot defects cause oxygen-poor blood to flow out of the heart and into the rest of the body. Only surgery can save their Subhi. Though the parents are determined to do whatever is needed, it has been a challenge.

She is our precious child. Today she is so unwell - even though she is two years old, she can’t walk because her heart is not able to send blood to her legs. Even crying makes her breathing difficult and the doctor has warned us that this is very dangerous.” – Bheesham Singh.

Despite trying for a year, the parents have not been able to arrange for surgery

“For the last one year, we have been trying to arrange for a surgery. We have approached different people for help. We have saved as much money as we can, but we have not been able to arrange the full amount. No matter what we did, we have just not been able to put together enough to get her the surgery.” – Bheesham Singh

Even though she can’t walk like other two-year-olds, Shubhi’s speech is quite developed. She keeps telling her parents she wants to go home. Hospitals have become a scary place for her – full of needles and medicines. But they have become a necessity now as she needs constant medical attention till she can get the surgery that will finally make her better.

Time is running out for Baby Subhi

Bheesham and his wife Asha have lost count of how much they have spent on medical expenses – to closely monitor Subhi’s condition and keep her alive. They had her after waiting for years and have not left any stone unturned for Subhi’s treatment. However, arranging for this surgery that will save her is simply beyond their means.