A recent health survey conducted under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) has revealed that over 41,000 children in Karnataka are living with congenital heart disease (CHD)—a structural defect present from birth that affects the heart or major blood vessels.
The findings have sparked concern among pediatric cardiologists and public health officials, who warn that delayed diagnosis and limited screening are contributing to preventable morbidity and mortality.
“Early detection and treatment play a big role in determining the quality of life of these children,” said Dr Kavya Mallikarjun, Consultant-Pediatric Cardiology.
Despite government support through Ayushman Bharat–Arogya Karnataka and the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST), less than 50% of diagnosed children have received treatment so far.
To address this gap, the Karnataka Health Department plans to integrate pregnancy ultrasound data with neonatal check-ups, allowing pediatricians to track high-risk infants from birth.
Globally, CHD affects 8 out of every 1,000 live births, and India sees over 2 million newborns impacted annually. Experts say universal screening and better data integration could dramatically improve outcomes.