From the Field: Hyderabad, India

Children’s HeartLink, along with a team of physicians and nurses from Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University, just completed a medical mission to Innova Children’s Heart Hospital in Hyderabad, India. We had the opportunity to meet a young girl and her family at their home and witness their journey throughout the treatment process.

Srilatha is a five-year-old girl, who lives with her mom, dad, and six-year-old brother in a small village on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Srilatha was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect (ASD) shortly after birth when she went to the doctor for routine vaccinations.

After Srilatha was diagnosed, her family took her to several hospitals. However, they had difficulty finding the right doctor for Srilatha. Eventually, they were referred to Innova Children’s Heart Hospital, a Children’s HeartLink partner specializing in pediatric cardiac care. Innova recommended Srilatha’s case be reviewed by the Children’s HeartLink team from Stanford.

While the Children’s HeartLink team was there last week, Srilatha had an interventional catheterization procedure that successfully closed her ASD. She spent one night in the hospital and is now back home with her family! Best of luck, Srilatha!

(All photos by Sam Mohan)