Reducing the costs of surgical correction of congenitally malformed hearts in developing countries.
A large number of patients in developing countries require surgical correction of congenitally malformed hearts. Unfortunately, only a limited number of centres offer these patients surgery at an affordable cost. In this review, we discuss the problems in managing these patients, with an emphasis on reduction of costs, so that the maximum number of patients can benefit. It is apparent that containing costs requires a multipronged approach, which begins with timely referral, and continues with early surgical correction and adequate postoperative care carried out in a scientific manner. Indigenization, innovation, training of manpower, and building a team, are essential to cut the costs, and to improve the quality of care.
Cardiothoracic Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Sachin
S
Talwar
Shiv Kumar
SK
Choudhary
Balram
B
Airan
Rajnish
R
Juneja
Shyam Sunder
SS
Kothari
Anita
A
Saxena
Arkalgud Sampath
AS
Kumar
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D003363:Cost Control; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003422:Critical Care / Q000191:economics*; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000191:economics / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D009873:Operating Rooms / Q000191:economics*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods