11 months old girl from Pakistan saved

The Rotary Club continues to save lives of children under its Rotary Heartline project.  The project which began in 1999 has so far saved the lives of 240 children as of date, including 30 from Pakistan. 

Last week 11-months old girl, Yusra, from Pakistan arrived in Chandigarh on a special request from the Rotarians from Pakistan to Past Rotary International President R.K. Saboo. 

Fida Hussain, her father, who works as a driver in an airline company, and her mother Bushra Hussain, crossed the Wagah border to arrive in Chandigarh where Rotarians admitted her to their partner hospital, Fortis Hospital Mohali. 

The problem was discovered by parents when Yusra was barely two months old, and with no facilities in Pakistan to handle congenital cardiac disease for such a small child there was no chance of her survival.  Her father continued his search and learnt about Rotary programme being run by Rotary Club of Chandigarh. The local Rotarians got in touch with PRIP R.K. Saboo, and the child was ultimately brought to Chandigarh. 

Dr. T S Mahant, Executive Director - Cardiac Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Mohali, said, “Baby Yusra was admitted in Fortis on Aug 19 and after her initial investigations she was taken in for heart surgery on Aug 25. She was diagnosed with TOF (Tetrology of Fallots) i.e. her body used to turn blue.  I feel very happy that she has shown remarkable progress and will  be able to lead a normal life now”.

Commenting on the successful surgery, Mr. S K Duggal , president , Rotary Club, said, “Our foresmost motive is that no child should die for want of money, and if we are able to forge bridges of better understanding and goodwill amongst people across the border, as human beings, our mission is served."