Screening initiative across Narayanpur and Orchha blocks facilitates diagnosis and treatment for children requiring cardiac care
Project Dhadkan, a child health screening initiative launched across Narayanpur and Orchha blocks, has identified congenital heart conditions in children through screenings conducted in schools and Anganwadi centres.
Two-year-old Parul Dugga from Brehbeda village in Narayanpur district was among the children identified through the programme. According to the information shared, Parul experienced fatigue and limited physical activity for most of her early life, while her family remained unaware of the underlying medical condition due to lack of access to diagnosis in the village.
In February 2026, a health team conducting screenings under Project Dhadkan examined Parul and referred her to Narayanpur district hospital, followed by a super-speciality facility in Nava Raipur. Specialist doctors later confirmed that she required surgery.
Kedar Kashyap facilitated her transfer to Shri Satya Sai Hospital, where she underwent heart surgery on April 10, 2026. The treatment was provided free of cost. Following the surgery, she returned to her home in Brehbeda village.
The screening programme has examined 4,937 children across the district since February 2026. According to the programme data, three children, including Parul, were identified with serious congenital heart conditions and referred for specialist treatment.
The initiative has been launched under the direction of Namrata Jain, District Collector, Narayanpur. According to the programme authorities, the focus is on identifying health conditions at an early stage in regions where access to healthcare services has historically been delayed.
Namrata Jain said the purpose of the programme was not only to identify illness, but also to ensure timely access to treatment for children requiring medical intervention. “Har bachche tak pahunche ilaaj (Treatment must reach every child),” she said.
A mother from one of the screened villages said, “Pehle agar baccha daud nahin pata tha, toh hum sochte the yeh uski aadat hai. Ab hum jaante hain ki doctor ko dikhana chahiye” (Before, if a child could not run, we thought it was just their nature. Now we know we should show them to a doctor).