Sishu Sathi Scheme: Children’s Heart Treatment can now be done for free, Know how to Apply

The Government of West Bengal has introduced one of the best schemes for children, known as the Sishu Sathi Scheme. From the moment a child is born, parents need to spend a significant amount of money, and many do not have the financial capacity to handle such expenses. Under this scheme, any child who requires heart surgery will receive completely free treatment. Regardless of whether the parents are rich or poor, the state government launched this project to provide free medical services for all children in need of cardiac surgery.

There is no specific age for falling ill. Any child may face various complications after birth. Newborn babies have very low immunity, and some are born with multiple problems that make their condition even more critical. To provide proper treatment for children born with various heart conditions, the Government of West Bengal introduced this scheme.

Children are the future of the nation, and every child deserves to be born healthy and grow up well — this is our common wish. To ensure that all sick children can recover quickly, the West Bengal Government launched the Sishu Sathi Scheme. Through this scheme, the government has truly become a companion to children and their families. A child represents the nation’s future; therefore, a child’s healthy life signifies the healthy development of the nation. Let us now see the details of this scheme.

Overview of Sishu Sathi Scheme

What is the Sishu Sathi Scheme ?

Many newborns are born with physical complications. These health issues gradually become more serious as they grow, which can lead to major risks. To support treatment for such critical illnesses in newborns, the Government of West Bengal has promised financial assistance. Under this scheme, all parents of affected children will receive government aid.

According to official data, 60% of the funding for this scheme is provided by the Health Ministry, and the remaining is given by the State Government. In the last 10 years, around 28,000 children have already received treatment under this scheme, which is a remarkable record. Maharashtra holds the second position and Punjab the third. Notably, the Health Department has collaborated with several private hospitals under the PPP model to conduct these surgeries for children.

Approximately three thousand heart surgeries are performed every year in various government hospitals across the state. If the Sishu Sathi Scheme is integrated with the Swasthya Sathi Scheme, then in the coming days, children may not need to travel to government hospitals in different districts for treatment.

When was the Sishu Sathi Scheme launched?

In August 2013, on the occasion of World Heart Day, Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee announced the Sishu Sathi Scheme. She also mentioned that children up to the age of 12 would receive completely free heart surgeries to help them regain a healthy life.

Benefits of the Sishu Sathi Scheme

Under this scheme, children receive completely free treatment for several heart-related conditions. The list of treated conditions includes:

• Problems caused by holes in the heart
• Various types of cardiac complications
• Blood circulation issues in the heart
• Congenital cardiac valve defects
• Free neurosurgery
• Free congenital cataract surgery
• Completely free cardiac (heart) surgery
• Other complex eye surgeries are also covered
• All types of heart-related treatments are free for children up to 12 years old

Eligibility Criteria for Availing Benefits under the Sishu Sathi Scheme

• The child and their parents must possess government-certified documents.
• The child must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
• The maximum age limit for treatment is 12 years.

List of Hospitals Providing Sishu Sathi Scheme Benefits

• R.G. Kar Medical College, Kolkata
• B.M. Birla Hospital, Kolkata
• SSKM Hospital, Kolkata
• B.C. Roy Memorial Hospital for Children
• RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences, Kolkata
• Mission Hospital, Durgapur
• NRS Hospital, Kolkata

Documents Required to Apply for Sishu Sathi Scheme

• Income certificate of the child’s parents
• Aadhaar card of the child and parents (or guardian if parents are absent)
• Residential proof showing the family is a permanent resident of West Bengal
• Two passport-sized photos of the applicant
• Voter ID of the child’s parents or guardian
• BPL certificate if the applicant belongs to a BPL household

How to Apply for the Sishu Sathi Scheme

Applications can be made both offline and online.

Offline Application Process

1. Visit the District Health Office or SSKM Hospital.
2. Collect the Sishu Sathi Scheme application form.
3. Fill in the form with accurate information.
4. Attach all necessary documents.
5. Submit the completed form to the designated office.

For more details, applicants can visit the official website of the Sishu Sathi Scheme.

Online Application Process

1. Submit the application form online.
2. Visit the official website of the West Bengal Sishu Sathi Scheme.
3. Fill in all required information in the online application form.
4. Upload necessary documents.

Important links of the Sishu Sathi Scheme: