Paediatric heart check-up camp in Tuticorin

RC Spic Nagar, RID 3212, has been organising paediatric heart check-up camps for five years, with a break in 2020 owing to the Covid pandemic. The ‘Golden Heart’ camp, as it is called, was organised this year in August to commemorate the club’s golden jubilee. It was held at the Spic Nagar Medical Centre in Tuticorin, in association with SPIC, Greenstar Fertilisers and the Apollo, Children’s Hospital, Chennai. Dr Neville A G Solomon, chief cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon from Apollo, Chennai, along with 12 doctors and paramedical staff, screened the young patients.

Prior to the camp the club members led by ­president S Arunjeyakumar spread awareness about the camp at the PHCs and 20 schools in the town and its ­surrounding ­villages. “We got in touch with the ­doctors at the PHCs and the school management to identify ­children with breathing difficulties, low weight and other symptoms pertaining to heart ailments,” he said. PDG H Shajahan and AG Rathakrishnan were ­present at the camp which was inaugurated by Ashwin C Muthiah, founder/chairman of AM International Holdings.

Ninety children were screened and 11 children with cardiac ailments, accompanied by their parents, were sent to the Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, for surgical treatment. All medical expenses were funded by AM Foundation, SPIC and Greenstar Fertilisers. The club arranged transport to and from the camp venue, breakfast and lunch for all registrants.

A blood donation and a general medical camp for adults, in association with the Lions Club of Spic Nagar, also formed part of this health camp.