One year old Yuvatharani, lives in Vaithur, a remote village in Pudukkottai District of Tamil Nadu. During one of her routine home visits, Community Health Volunteer, Mrs. Parvathi identified Yuvatharani, suffering from persistent cold and breathing difficulties for over six months. Despite consulting various doctors, the child’s condition only worsened.

Parvathy facilitated Yuvatharani’s visit to the Pudukkottai Government Hospital for further examination. There, the paediatrician diagnosed a heart problem that required immediate surgery. However, the necessary surgical equipment was not available at the government hospital, and so the doctor advised the family to seek treatment at a private hospital. Yuvatharani’s parents opted for a private hospital in Chennai, known for its expertise in such surgeries. However, the cost was prohibitive. At this critical stage, Pudukkottai Multipurpose Social Service Society (PMSSS) Director Fr. Jacob intervened, guiding the family to apply to the District Collector for the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme. This allowed Yuvatharani to undergo the life-saving heart surgery successfully.

Following the surgery, Yuvatharani required regular monthly check-up with the paediatrician at Pudukkottai Government Hospital. During a medical camp organized in their village, Dr. Ramdass, a retired paediatrician and Red Cross Society member, examined Yuvatharani and offered free medication due to the family’s financial situation.

Today, Yuvatharani’s health has improved significantly, but her parents continued to struggle in providing the necessary nutritional support for her recovery. PMSSS, under the guidance of Fr. Jacob, provided ongoing nutritional support to ensure Yuvatharani’s recovery and health. Through the collective and dedicated efforts of several people from the community, Yuvatharani is on the path to recovery, with the hope of a healthier future.

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