Thrissur: A 10-year-old girl who approached the Nava Kerala Sadas, the state government’s outreach programme, seeking help to cure scoliosis (an abnormal curvature of the spine) found relief. 

After learning about the health issues, the Health Minister instructed the authorities to arrange the surgery for her. Following this, the girl was admitted to Medical College Hospital here and underwent surgery on December 19. 

The Kozhikode native had come to the Sadas held in Thrithala on December 1. Her family could not afford the surgery, which is projected to cost Rs 10 lakh in private hospitals. 

Minister Veena George, who noticed the child’s health problem, contacted Medical College Liaison Officer Dr C Ravindran and instructed him to make the necessary treatment arrangements. 

The surgery was performed as a part of the free treatment scheme of the government. If the operation had been delayed any longer, it would have affected the functioning of her heart and lung.

The operation was conducted by the head of neurosurgery Dr B.S. Sunilkumar, Dr Jithin, Dr Geo Senil, Dr Krishnakumar, Dr Ananthu, head of the anaesthesia department, Dr Baburaj, Dr Bindu, Dr Sunil Kumar, Dr Celine, Dr Anju and staff nurses Saritha and Deepthi.