For most families in West Bengal, the first worry after a heart diagnosis is cost. The good news: a large share of children's heart care is either free or heavily subsidised through government schemes.
Government schemes that help
- Sishu Sathi: the West Bengal government's scheme offering free cardiac surgery and interventions for children at empanelled hospitals, including Narayana Health.
- Swasthya Sathi: a state health-card scheme that covers hospitalisation for the whole family.
- RBSK (Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram): school and anganwadi screening that refers children with heart defects for free care.
What affects the cost
When a procedure is not covered, the cost depends on the defect, the device used and the length of stay. A catheter device closure (for many PDA, ASD and VSD cases) avoids open-heart surgery and usually means going home the next day — often a lower total cost than surgery.
No child should miss heart treatment for want of money. Ask our team about Sishu Sathi and Swasthya Sathi eligibility at your first visit.
Dr. Nandi has screened thousands of children under the Sishu Sathi scheme, and his team will guide you through the paperwork.
Concerned about your child?
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