Every year, approximately 2,00,000 babies in India are born with congenital heart disease (CHD), yet less than 20% receive timely diagnosis and intervention, according to Indian Academy of Pediatrics. As a result, many children silently progress toward irreversible complications like pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)—a condition that makes surgery ineffective and dramatically reduces life expectancy. In response to this critical gap, Dr. Prashant Bobhate, Senior Consultant in Pediatric Cardiology at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, is advocating for a nationwide push for early detection through fetal echocardiography, neonatal screenings, and access to government and NGO-supported treatment.
A leading Pediatric Cardiologist in Mumbai, India, Dr. Bobhate emphasizes that early detection is not just beneficial—it’s lifesaving. “Every heart defect we miss early is a child we risk losing later. But if we catch it early—sometimes even before birth—we can cure it. That’s the power of early diagnosis,” he says.
Key to this approach is fetal echocardiography, a non-invasive test performed between 16–20 weeks of gestation that can detect up to 85–90% of major congenital heart anomalies. It is especially recommended for high-risk pregnancies involving maternal diabetes, genetic conditions, abnormal ultrasound findings, or family history of CHD. “Fetal echo allows us to intervene before the damage begins. It changes the outcome for families entirely,” says Dr. Bobhate.
After birth, pulse oximetry (SpO₂ screening) and targeted neonatal echocardiography are the next line of defense. These tests can identify critical CHDs within the first 24–48 hours of life—especially those that might otherwise go unnoticed. Global studies show that adding SpO₂ screening to routine newborn check-ups increases detection rates of critical CHD by 33%.
“The biggest tragedy is that these tools are simple, affordable, and widely available—yet not consistently implemented. It’s time to make neonatal cardiac screening a national mandate,” urges Dr. Bobhate.
Dr. Bobhate’s practice not only prioritizes early screening but also offers advanced treatment interventions for children diagnosed with complex cardiac defects.
But while diagnosis and treatment are available, affordability remains a major barrier for families. The good news: government healthcare schemes are stepping up. Under the Rashtriya Bal SwasthyaKaryakram (RBSK) and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY), children from economically weaker sections are now eligible for free cardiac surgeries at accredited trust and corporate hospitals.
“These programs are a game changer. They’ve made advanced heart care accessible to thousands of children who might otherwise go untreated,” Dr. Bobhate explains. “I’ve personally seen over 200 families benefit from these schemes at our center.”
Yet some patients fall through the cracks—due to documentation issues, lack of awareness, or ineligibility under specific criteria. In such cases, NGOs like Rotary, Genesis Foundation, and others step in to bridge the gap. “I cannot overstate the impact these organizations have. They raise funds, offer logistical support, and above all, give hope to families who thought they had no options left,” says Dr. Bobhate. “Together, we’ve been able to save lives that might have otherwise been lost.”
Access to medications is another challenge.
“I often say, we’re not just treating a child’s heart—we’re preserving a future. That future should never be limited by geography or income,” Dr. Bobhate reflects.
To that end, he is calling for a unified national effort—combining policy, technology, and philanthropy—to establish mandatory fetal and neonatal heart screening protocols, expand awareness of government schemes, and support NGO partnerships that ensure no child is left behind.
“We have the medical knowledge, the tools, and the will. Now we need the systems to catch up. When caught early, most heart defects are curable. But when we wait too long, we turn hope into heartbreak,” he concludes.
Dr. Prashant Bobhate’s tireless advocacy, clinical excellence, and collaborative approach are reshaping pediatric cardiac care in India—giving every child, regardless of background, a fighting chance at a healthy heart and a full life.
Contact Dr. Prashant Bobhate
Senior Consultant – Pediatric Cardiology
Children’s Heart Centre, KokilabenDhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
🌐https://phindia.net/
📞 Appointments via hospital helpline or referral system
