Bhubaneswar, Nov 19: The Odisha Government today signed an MoU with Prasanti Medical Services and Research Foundation (PMSRF) for extension of free Cardiac treatment services 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, Judge,Supreme Court of India, Justice Mohammad Rafiq, Chief Justice of Orissa High Court, Justice Kalpesh Jhaveri, Former Chief Justice of Odisha and Health & FW Minister Naba Das were present on the occasion.

The hospital was roped in on November 18 in 2018 for providing free cardiac services to the children of Odisha with cardiac ailments. 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 situation.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Ministser Naveen Patnaik said that his Government is committed to make all efforts for fulfilling the healthcare needs of our 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.

Expressing happiness over free treatment of more than 1000 patients from the state with cardiac defects since the agreement with PMSRF a couple of years back, the Chief Minister commended the foundation for its commitment to serve the humanity. In appreciation of this effort, the State Government is renewing the MOU to ensure that the poor people our state continue to receive this critical health service, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Supreme Court Judge Justice Vineet Saran described Odisha as his second home. It’s his privilege to work anything for the state, he added.

It may be mentioned here, it was Justice Vineet Saran who introduced the PMSRF to Odisha.

Chief Justice of Odisha High Court, Justice Mohammad Rafiq appreciated the selfless, charitable commitment of the Government of Odisha and the Satya Sai Heart Hospital. He said that there is no higher religion than service to humanity.

Justice K.S. Jhaveri said that Odisha is very close to his heart. He wished health and wealth for the people of the State. He also appreciated the way, the Chief Minister is leading the State.

Health & Family Welfare Minister Naba Das reiterated the State Government’s commitment to serve the people from weaker sections of society.

Managing Trustee of Satya Sai Heart Hospital Manoj Bhimani gave a brief account of the services extended by the institution.

All pre & post-operative care of patients at the hospital, including medicines, stents, coils, etc are borne by the Foundation. The transport assistance is provided by the State Government to the patients along with escorts referred to PMSRF, as per their eligibility under different Govt. schemes implemented in the State.