Free Heart Surgeries for Children at NIMS

The Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad recently concluded its fifth paediatric cardiac surgery camp, successfully performing 19 complex heart surgeries free of charge. This initiative, which wrapped up on September 12, 2026, provided crucial medical intervention for children aged between two months and 13 years, a service that typically costs families between ₹5 lakh and ₹20 lakh at private facilities.

The camp was a collaborative effort between the NIMS Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the UK-based Healing Little Hearts organization. A specialist team, led by paediatric cardiac surgeon Ramana Dhanapuneni and NIMS Head of Cardiothoracic Surgery M. Amaresh Rao, executed the procedures. Over the course of the week-long event, approximately 1,000 children were screened, identifying several cases suitable for minimally invasive techniques.

This partnership, active since 2023, has now facilitated around 80 surgeries across five camps. NIMS Director Rahul Devraj expressed a desire for the visiting team to return twice annually, underscoring the hospital's commitment to supporting these life-saving programs. The department aims to increase its annual paediatric cardiac surgeries from the current 400 to 1,000 to meet the needs of the estimated 7,000 children in Telangana with critical congenital heart diseases.

Notably, the camp also marked the first time ECMO services were available at NIMS under the Aarogyasri scheme. While not required during this specific camp, the availability of this advanced life support system free of cost for eligible patients signifies a significant enhancement in NIMS's critical care capabilities.