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Articles: Devotion | Fate with faith
- Mr. Venkata Ramanamurty Mallajosyula
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Understanding Ruby’s Malady
The ventricular septum is the wall between the left and right ventricles (lower chambers) of the heart. A hole in the ventricular septum is called a VSD. Small defects usually close on their own, but those which don’t within two years require surgical closure. Large defects or those causing heart failure require surgical repair with a synthetic patch.
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the other heart problem which Ruby had. PDA occurs soon after birth in some babies. Before birth, the two major arteries-the aorta and the pulmonary artery - are normally connected by a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus, which is an essential part of the fetal circulation. After birth, the vessel is naturally supposed to close within a few days. In some babies, however, the ductus arteriosus remains open (patent). This opening allows blood to flow directly from the aorta into the pulmonary artery, which strains the heart and increases the blood pressure in the lung arteries.
Diagnosis Confirmed But No Hope
Dr. Jain directed Yadav to take Ruby to a Sindhi Trust Hospital in Anandpur, 35 kms from Piprai. The doctors there confirmed the heart defect and advised them to get the treatment done at their unit in New Delhi. 'The doctors here prescribed some medication for 21 days. They told we should go to Delhi and get her operated as early as possible. And that it would cost me two lakh rupees (US $5000). How could I afford such expenses?' asked Yadav.
Yadav then took her to the Lifeline Express, the Hospital Train, introduced by the Indian Railways that conducts medical camps free of cost. Yadav was accompanied by his neighbour in Piprai, Harbhajan Singh, whose sister too was suffering from a heart ailment. The diagnosis by the mobile medical camp once more confirmed Ruby's condition. The doctors recommended a private hospital in New Delhi. 'Can you afford it?' the doctors asked him. It pained Yadav to answer, 'No' but not more than the pain he felt when he looked into Ruby's eyes that day.
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