Shifa (five months old ), a little braveheart girl
Shifa, a little braveheart, was only five months old when she was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect (VSD), a hole between the lower heart chambers. Concerned when Shifa started experiencing rapid, shallow breathing and difficulties during feeding, her parents Afsana and Sharukh, a car mechanic, went to a private clinic in Meerut for a consultation. From there, the family was referred to Nutema Hospital for an echocardiogram, and Shifa was later put on a drug treatment plan.
It was during this turbulent time that Shifa’s parents happened to attend a Child Heart Foundation (CHF) Awareness Program event in Meerut. Subsequently, CHF facilitated Shifa’s admittance at the Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital on January 16, 2025, where she underwent a surgical patch closure of VSD.
It has been a rollercoaster journey, said Afsana and Sharukh. But, following a successful surgery, they are hopeful for their little girl. Filled with gratitude, Shifa’s parents want to pave the way forward by sharing their learnings with other families, bolster access to cardiac health services in India’s underserved communities, and expand CHF’s educational outreach so that children like Shifa get the care they need. What an inspiring story of trial, triumph—and the circle of life!