Congenital Heart Disease in India: A Status Report

ABSTRACT

Considering a birth prevalence of congenital heart disease as 9/1000, the estimated number of children born with congenital heartdisease in India is more than 200,000 per year. Of these, about one-fifth are likely to have serious defect, requiring an intervention in thefirst year of life. Currently advanced cardiac care is available to only a minority of such children. A number of cardiac centers have beendeveloped over the last 10 years. However, most are in the private sector, and are not geographically well-distributed. Challenges topediatric cardiac care include financial constraints, health-seeking behavior of community, and lack of awareness. Government of Indiais taking a number of steps for improving health of children through its various program and schemes that are likely to benefit children withcongenital heart disease, especially those who are vulnerable and marginalized.