When Gopika Sree’s birth filled her parents’ lives with immense joy, the joy every parent waits for through long months, sleepless nights, and endless anticipation, it felt like their world was finally complete. But in a single moment, everything changed. While feeding her, they noticed her tiny heart racing far too fast. What began as a moment of love quickly turned into one of fear when she was just 7 days old. She was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. In those tense moments, every second felt heavy with fear.
On evaluation, the doctors in the nearby hospital suspected a heart condition and advised an ECHO for confirmation. The results revealed a small hole in her heart, reassuring her parents that it would likely heal on its own within the next three months. For a moment, they held onto that reassurance, hoping the worst was behind them. But the relief didn’t last long.
Gopika began to struggle because she wasn’t feeding properly. What once seemed manageable suddenly became urgent. When her parents rushed back to the nearby hospital, they were told that she would need surgery, and it had to be done immediately. Desperate to save their child, they searched everywhere for help. Time was slipping away, and hope felt distant.
On the referral of a relative, they came to MIOT International. Through CHIME – Childrens Heart Internationale MIOT, in association with the MIOT Centre for Children’s Cardiac Care, her parents finally found light in their darkest moment. Amid fear and uncertainty, they were given a promise that their baby would be given back to them.
Gopika’s condition was complex. Her treatment required multiple stages. She was first operated on at 1 year of age. With immense care and precision, her second and most critical surgery, which was performed when she was just one and a half years old, turned out to be a great success.
Today, Gopika Sree is healthy, playful, and full of life, just like any other child of her age. For her parents, every moment with her now feels like a blessing.
“We feel so happy seeing our baby healthy. She is fine today because we brought her here.”
At CHIME, we bring light to the lives of children in need. Your support helps us provide essential surgeries, screenings, and awareness programs. Every contribution, no matter the size, directly impacts a child's chance at a healthier future. Join us in making a difference by giving the gift of hope today.