“I remember the horrible night when Pooja lied down in the bed and clutched the bed sheets as she panted for breath. It was such a painful sight for me to see and I immediately took her to the hospital. The doctors said that only a surgery would help save my Pooja. Now even small tasks like that of getting up from her bed and getting ready for the morning looks herculean to her because of her ailment.” - Brahm Dev, father of 16-year-old Pooja. 

A hard-working student, Pooja has been battling this disease for a long time now

Four years back, the shortness of breath and murmurs in her heart had scared her parents. An immediate visit to the hospital revealed that Pooja has Ventricular Septal Defect, it is a hole in the wall separating the two lower chambers of the heart. Usually, the wall between the chambers closes before the fetus is born, so that by birth, oxygen-rich blood is kept from mixing with the oxygen-poor blood. When the hole does not close, it may cause higher pressure in the heart or reduced oxygen to the body.

 

“When the doctors told us that Pooja has a heart disorder, we thought how is that even possible? Isn’t this something that affects old people? How can my Pooja have this? But Pooja has been very determined since then to win this battle against her disease. Not for once has she neglected her studies because of this but now she can hardly get up on her own.” - Nirmala, mother. 

Pooja’s life is very different from the other teenagers around her

16-year-old Pooja is mostly tied to her bed as she gets very exhausted to get up. Her cough and cold doesn’t seem to go. She can’t eat much as it tires her as well - as a result, she is frail and is also not growing.
 

“In the evening, when I meet with the other ladies in the neighbourhood, all of them talk about how their teenage daughters are becoming tough to handle day by day as they hardly listen to elders. I quietly listen to them. I secretly wish Pooja gets better and does the things that she loves. My eyes tear up as I see her lying down on her bed all tired and sad.” - Nirmala. 

A surgery can save Pooja’s life but her family is too poor to afford it

Brahm Kumar works in a small factory and earns something around Rs 8000-9000 per month. He has four more children who are still studying and he is the only earning member of his family. He cannot afford 3 lakhs 90 thousand for the surgery that can save Pooja.
 

“Initially the doctors had said that Pooja will be fine if she is kept under proper care and medications. Even with my meagre salary, I left no stone unturned to provide the best care for Pooja. But now all my savings are over and the doctors have told that only a surgery can save my daughter. There is no place from where I can arrange for such a huge sum of money.” - Brahm Kumar. 

How you can help

16-year-old Pooja has a hole in her heart and only a surgery can help her live a healthy and hassle-free life. But the huge costs of surgery is proving to be a major hindrance for the family. Your kind contribution can brighten up Pooja’s days as she would be able to undergo the surgery and go back to her school and friends.