A total of 74 patients from different parts of the Ladakh region including Leh, Sham, Changthang, Nubra, Kargil, and Zanskar were checked during the two days free medical camp for Cardiothoracic patients (heart surgery) on April 19 -20 at Lha-Ri-Sa Resort, Skara, Leh.
 
Dr. Shiv Chaudhary, Head of the Department (HOD) of Cardiothoracic department (CTVS), AIIMS (All India Institute for Medical Science), New Delhi was present.
 
The medical camp amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has helped a lot to the patient of the far-flung region who could not go for medical check-up. The camp was crucial for the patients to get one round of check-ups. 
 
Tashi Motup, Kawoo, General-Secretary, Asoka Mission, New Delhi informed that except 9 patients, all 65 patients had undergone heart surgeries sometime in the last 3 decades. About 16 patients had undergone heart surgeries back in the 1990s. 
 
“One of the patients seen was an elderly woman from Domkhar, who was the first patient from Ladakh to have undergone heart surgery. She was operated in 1988, more than 3 decades ago, at AIIMS by Dr. P. Venugopal, former HOD of CTVS and later Director of AIIMS, he added.
 
The cases of heart surgeries seen during the medical camp related to valve repair and replacement, ACHD (Adult Congenital Heart Disease), ASD (Atrial Septal Defect), RHD (Rheumatic Heart Disease), coronary artery disease (narrowing or blockage of the heart), pacemaker, and hole in the heart. 
 
The health issues reported by the patients included breathlessness during walking or climbing, tiredness after brief exertion, chest pain, shoulder and back pain, nose bleeding, and acidity after meals. 
 
Tashi Motup said, “One of the problems which came to light from the medical camp was that many patients have missed the routine check-up because of which their health condition has deteriorated. Some patients have also not adhered to doctor’s advice about food habits and lifestyle. The medical history of each patient was recorded to assist them further, and receive treatment at AIIMS in future.”
 
He thanked Dr. Shiv Chaudhary for giving his precious time and charitable service to the people of Ladakh. Also, he expressed gratitude to the administration and staff of S.N.M Hospital Leh for conducting the necessary tests of the patients. 
 
He further appealed to the people of Ladakh to be aware of their health situations, and get a medical check-up and treatment for their ailments in time to have a happy and healthy life.