CARE Hospitals Bhubaneswar Commemorates Congenital Heart Disease Awareness Day with Felicitation of CHD Warriors
Bhubaneswar, (Odishafast) :CARE Hospitals Bhubaneswar observed Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Awareness Day with a heartfelt felicitation ceremony honoring courageous CHD warriors and their inspiring journeys toward recovery and resilience. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about congenital heart conditions, encourage early diagnosis, and celebrate the strength of young patients and their families.
The programme was led by Dr SoumyakantiMohapatra, Senior Consultant – Pediatric Cardiology. Dr Mahendra Prasad Tripathy, Clinical Director & Head of the Department – Cardiology, Dr ManoranjanPadhi, Sr. Consultant & Head of the Department – Anaesthesiology, along with CHD warriors, their families, and patients, actively participated in the event.
Highlighting the growing burden of the condition, doctors noted that nearly 8 out of every 1,000 babies in India are born with congenital heart disease. With approximately 2.4 to 2.5 crore births recorded annually in the country, this translates to an estimated 1.8 to 2 lakh newborns affected every year. Congenital heart defects are structural abnormalities present at birth, where parts of the heart such as chambers, valves, or major blood vessels do not develop properly, affecting normal blood flow and oxygen supply.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr SoumyakantiMohapatra, Senior Consultant – Pediatric Cardiology, said, “Congenital heart disease affects nearly two lakh newborns in India each year, yet many cases go undiagnosed in the early days of life. The heart beats nearly 100,000 times a day, pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, and when there is a structural defect, oxygen levels can fall or blood flow may be obstructed. Parents must be aware of early warning signs such as rapid breathing, bluish lips or nails, difficulty in feeding, excessive sweating during feeds, or poor weight gain. Early screening through pulse oximetry and timely evaluation with echocardiography can be lifesaving. Today, with advances in pediatric cardiac care, including minimally invasive catheter-based interventions and refined surgical techniques, most children with congenital heart defects can go on to live normal, healthy lives if diagnosed and treated at the right time.”
Adding to this, Dr Mahendra Prasad Tripathy, Clinical Director & Head of the Department – Cardiology, said, “Strengthening neonatal screening protocols and improving access to specialised pediatric cardiac care are critical steps in reducing preventable complications. A coordinated multidisciplinary approach, involving pediatric cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, intensivists, and nursing teams, ensures comprehensive care from diagnosis to long-term follow-up. Our focus remains on clinical excellence, safety, and continuous monitoring to improve survival rates and enhance the quality of life for children born with congenital heart disease.”
Mr. KislayAnand, Zonal Chief Operating Officer, CARE Hospitals stated, “This day is a tribute to the incredible courage of our young CHD warriors and their families. At CARE Hospitals Bhubaneswar, we are committed to strengthening newborn screening, promoting early referrals, and providing world-class pediatric cardiology and cardiothoracic care supported by advanced infrastructure and experienced multidisciplinary teams. Congenital heart disease is no longer a life-limiting condition in most cases. Through awareness, accessibility, and clinical excellence, we aim to ensure that every child in the region has the opportunity to grow into a healthy adult.”
The felicitation ceremony included recognition of children who successfully underwent treatment, interactions with families, and awareness messages encouraging routine cardiac screening for newborns and infants. Through this initiative, CARE Hospitals Bhubaneswar reaffirmed its commitment to advancing awareness, strengthening early detection, and ensuring accessible specialised care for congenital heart disease across the region.