PM lauds NRIs for funding heart surgeries of Ethiopian kids; Saharanpur native leads effort
Dehradun: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 121st edition of Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, applauded the efforts of NRIs living in Ethiopia for providing free medical assistance to Ethiopian children suffering from congenital heart diseases.
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Many such children are also receiving financial assistance from Indian families. Saharanpur native Rajeev Sharma, who leads this initiative, is part of the Indian diaspora in Ethiopia and currently serves as president of the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa.
Sharma, who runs a business in Ethiopia, said they had earlier invited expert surgeons and doctors from India on medical missions to Ethiopia. This effort is an extension of that initiative, where Ethiopian children whose families cannot afford the expensive treatment are sent to India, with the Indian diaspora bearing all the expenses.
Speaking to TOI from Ethiopia, Sharma said, "So far, as many as 20 Ethiopian children suffering from congenital heart diseases have successfully undergone surgery in India, and we aim to cover 100 such children under this initiative, which started in 2022." He added that the idea took shape when Rotary Club International president Shekhar Mehta visited Ethiopia in 2022, and the first batch of four children was sent to India for surgery that year.
Explaining how the programme is managed, Sharma said, "The expenses are borne by the Indian diaspora, which works out to around Rs 4-5 lakh per patient, including the surgery and the stay of their attendants in India during treatment."
In his radio address, Modi, while lauding the effort, said, "If a child's family is unable to afford the trip to India, Indian brothers and sisters are arranging for it."
In Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi added, "The aim is to ensure that every child in Ethiopia battling a serious illness receives better treatment.
This noble work by the Indian diaspora is receiving ample appreciation in Ethiopia. You know that medical facilities in India are continuously improving, benefiting citizens of other countries as well."
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