Assam's Free Healthcare Programs Save Over 13,000 Children in Need
Assam's healthcare initiatives have transformed the lives of thousands of children in need of critical medical care. Two key programmes—the Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) Program and the Snehasparsh Scheme—have provided free surgeries and transplants to young patients from low-income families. Together, they have saved over 13,000 children since their launch, offering hope to families who once struggled to afford treatment.
The CHD Program, running for around 15 years, focuses on children aged 0–18 from families earning less than ₹6 lakh annually. It provides free health screenings, treatments, and corrective heart surgeries, often in partnership with Narayana Health. This collaboration ensures that even children from remote areas receive specialist care. The programme has also expanded to include 'Operation Smile' campaigns, offering free cleft lip surgeries to affected children.
Early detection and a patient-first approach have driven the programme's success. Recently, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Assam and met with 1,000 children who had benefited from the CHD Program. Their stories highlight how coordinated logistics and compassionate care have made life-saving treatment accessible.
Building on this model, the Snehasparsh Scheme was launched in 2022 to cover free liver, kidney, and bone marrow transplants. Over 150 children have already received these complex procedures, with costs fully covered—including air travel and hospital stays for both child and guardian. Leading medical centres like Assam Liver Foundation, GNRC Hospitals, and Guwahati Medical College and Hospital play a crucial role in delivering these services. So far, the scheme has helped more than 5,500 children across Assam.
The CHD Program and Snehasparsh Scheme continue to make critical medical care available to Assam's most vulnerable children. With over 13,000 lives saved and thousands more receiving transplants and surgeries, these initiatives have set a benchmark for accessible healthcare. The government's focus on early intervention and partnerships with top hospitals ensures that more families can access treatment without financial burden.
