This is not the only case where poor families cannot afford to bear the cost of the expensive surgeries, there are more such children suffering from various heart ailments and their families find them helpless due to their limited finances to meet the cost of the heart surgeries.

The Managing Director Grecian Hospital, Mohali, Dr Shivpreet Samra, said the children who need to be operated next week with Manjot are: Arun, (one-year-old), Gurdeep Singh (two-year-old) and Baby Harleen (one-year-old).

He said, “Arun’s parents have been able to manage Rs 35,000 on their own and now they need a donation of Rs 30,000 to meet all the surgical expenses. His father is working in a shop at Sector 26, Chandigarh.” He added, “Gurdeep is suffering with DORV. His father, who is a labourer, could pay only Rs 5,000, which is 60,000 short of the actual cost of the heart surgery, he, too, needs a donation. Similarly, Baby’s father is a small farmer who has been able to pay only Rs 20,000 for the surgery and a donation of Rs 40,000 is required.”

The other children seeking financial support from the public include two brothers Iqbal Singh (12) and Jaswinder Singh (11), who are suffering from large ventricular septal defect. Their father is a labourer, who is unable to pay Rs 1,30,000 needed for their surgeries. Father of Hira Lal (suffering from large perimembranous ventricular septal defect) is a rickshaw-puller, who has been able to contribute only Rs 10,000. Manjeet Kaur, (7) who is suffering from severe TOF needs a donation of Rs 55,000. Gurpreet (12) is suffering from TOF and her parents need Rs 30,000 for her surgery.

Gurkirat Singh is also suffering from the same heart ailment. His father met with an accident and is currently unemployed. A donation of Rs 35,000 is needed for his complicated heart surgery. Harleen’s (one-year-old) parents have Rs 30,000 and they need Rs 35,000 more.