Bhubaneswar: The state government on Thursday signed an MoU with Prasanti Medical Services and Research Foundation (PMSRF) for extension of free cardiac treatment to the poor and needy children of Odisha for next 2 years at Satya Sai Heart Hospital in Ahamedabad.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, Justice Vineet Saran of Supreme Court, Chief Justice of Orissa High Court Mohammad Rafiq, former Chief Justice of Odisha Justice Kalpesh Jhaveri and Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Das were present on the occasion.
As per the agreement, the state government identifies and bears the transportation cost of ailing children. All the services are provided free of cost. Till now, 1019 children have undergone cardiac surgery and cured of their heart ailments. The next batch of children with cardiac ailments will be sent for treatment soon after a brief pause due to the COVID-19 situation.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said his government is committed to make all efforts for fulfilling the healthcare needs of people, especially the under-privileged and the under-served, in an equitable, accessible, affordable, transparent and time-bound manner. One such remarkable step in this direction has been to ensure that the poor people of Odisha get free cardiac treatment and are given a new lease of life, he added.
He commended the foundation for its commitment to serve the humanity. In appreciation of this effort, the government is renewing the MoU to ensure that the poor people of the state continue to receive this critical health service, he added.
Supreme Court Judge Justice Vineet Saran described Odisha as his second home. It’s his privilege to work anything for the state, he added. He had introduced the PMSRF to Odisha in 2018.
Chief Justice of Odisha High Court Mohammad Rafiq appreciated the selfless, charitable commitment of the state government and the Satya Sai Heart Hospital. He said there is no higher religion than service to humanity.
Justice KS Jhaveri said Odisha is very close to his heart. He wished health and wealth for the people of the State.
Managing Trustee of Satya Sai Heart Hospital Manoj Bhimani, ACS Health & FW PK Mohapatra and MD, NHM Salini Pandit, chief secretary Asit Tripathy, Development Commissioner Suresh Mohapatra were present. Secretary to CM (5-T) VK Pandian moderated the programme.
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