Chirayu Scheme Becoming a Boon for Pahadi Korwas

Raipur, 21 July

The Chirayu Scheme has become a lifeline for children, especially those from economically weaker families who cannot afford treatment in private hospitals outside their hometowns. In Jashpur, a tribal-dominated district that is home to particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs), this scheme is proving to be a vital support system for the poor and needy.

Children like Anjali Bai, Anshika, and Ritesh, all battling heart conditions or other serious ailments, have found a new lease on life through the Chirayu Scheme.

Anjali Bai, a member of the Pahadi Korwa tribe, was born in the remote village of Sonkyari, located in the forested area of Manora block in Jashpur. When her father, Nanhuram, who does odd jobs to make ends meet, discovered that Anjali had a hole in her heart, he had no idea what to do. After an initial checkup at the Community Health Center in Manora, the Chirayu team conducted further diagnosis, confirming her heart condition. Anjali was then taken to a reputed private hospital in Raipur, where she underwent a successful surgery and has since recovered.

Many other children from poor families in the district have also benefited similarly from this scheme. For instance, Ritesh, son of Sudarshan Chauhan, a resident of Puranitoli in the district headquarters, was diagnosed with a hole in his heart during a checkup at a private hospital. His father, a daily wage laborer, couldn’t afford the costly treatment. They then turned to the district hospital, where doctors informed them about the Chirayu Scheme. Ritesh was referred to Raipur, and after a successful surgery and quality treatment, he is now healthy.

In another case, Anshika, daughter of Kritibai and Dhaneshwar Yadav from Behratoli village in Kunkuri block, was diagnosed with a severe heart condition. Her initial treatment was done at Raipur Medical College, Sri Sathya Sai Institute, and AIIMS Raipur. Later, she was referred to Apollo Hospital in Chennai, where she underwent heart surgery. The total cost of Rs. 14.50 lakh was entirely covered under the Chirayu Scheme by the government.

Similarly, Apollo Children’s Hospital in Chennai has successfully treated several children suffering from congenital heart disease under the scheme, including 2-year-old Anvi Bai, 9-year-old Anant Nayak, and 9-year-old Kumar Nayak.

Additionally, under the scheme, Nobel Bhagat from Chirbagicha and Garvit Singh from BTI Para underwent free corrective surgeries for cleft lip and palate at private hospitals in Raipur.

Notably, under the Chirayu Scheme, children are screened through Anganwadi centers and schools to check their overall health. Once identified with any of the 44 listed diseases or deformities, they are provided treatment under the scheme. If needed, children are referred to top hospitals across the country for advanced treatment—completely free of cost.