God Decides. We are merely witnesses – Part 4

Sachin’s father, Mr JK Jain was an Executive in BHEL. The CMO of BHEL – Jhansi, UP advised him to consult Dr Cherian in Madras if he wanted his son to survive. Mr Jain was shocked and travelled to Madras. 

The railway hospital was not sophisticated and unknown in North India. But they just believed “Dr Cherian will save our son”. After examination, Dr Cherian said, “We have not done such a case before. It has no reference from any hospital or doctor. I am also not sure of the accuracy of the diagnosis too”. 

Sachin had “corrected TGA with large VSD, PDA and Severe Pulmonary Hypertension”. No hospital in India, was willing to perform the critical surgery on a 3-month-old infant weighing less than 4 kgs. 

The surgery was performed in two days with an anticipated complication of a heart block! The baby required a pacemaker, something unheard of then. Dr Cherian acquired a special sanction to import the smallest pacemaker available – made by Medtronic, US. 

A temporary pacemaker fabricated by ICF Signal and Communication Department was used to keep Sachin alive. When the pacemaker arrived in Bombay there was an indefinite Truck Driver’s Strike. The team frantically called up officials and finally Western Railways came to their aid. 

The pacemaker was picked up at the airport at 11.00 pm, reached the hospital at 3.00 am and the team implanted immediately. Throughout I shared the family’s trauma and I asked Dr Cherian, “Numerous people across countries have worked for this. If the surgery fails, how will you handle the family?” He said, “I’m more worried than you”. 

Dr Cherian says, “A single chamber small pacemaker cost Rs 13,700 then. Today double chamber pacemaker costs around Rs 2 lakh. Total surgery cost was around Rs 49,000,then but today it would cost more than Rs 4 lakh. The ‘Make in India’, fervour has not reached medical device industry. There are no economical life saving devices yet. Where is India going?” 

Sachin returned to normalcy 15 days later. With early diagnosis and treatment congenital heart disease can be cured. Parents have to be vigilant to note symptoms early. 33 years later, Sachin is a B.Tech and MBA who handles the high-pressure Branch Manager job at IDFC Bank, New Delhi with ease. I asked Mr JK Jain, “Looking at your grandson, do you remember those dark days when your son was sick”? He says, “I surrender to His Will with awe.” Just a few words, but loaded with insight gained from his 65 year journey called life!