Taiyyaba, 8, wrote to PM Narendra Modi asking for help for her treatment
Eight-year-old Taiyyaba, who has congenital heart disease, hated seeing her father agonise over the cost of her treatment. While she was watching TV one day, a thought struck - why not ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi for help?
Taiyyaba wrote to PM Modi explaining her heart condition and requesting financial help - doctors say her treatment could cost between Rs 15-20 lakh. She wrote that her father was a daily wage worker at a shoe factory and hardly earned enough for the family of five.
The family in Agra was shocked to receive a letter from the Prime Minister's Office, asking for details. The PM's office has directed the Delhi Government to ensure that Taiyyaba receives proper treatment regardless of the cost.
"I had spoken to my mother that father is always tense and I had seen on television that the prime minister helps everybody. Even I am an Indian citizen and have the right to live so this idea struck me, that I should write to the prime minister for help," said the little girl, who has been on medicines for years.
The Delhi government has directed the Guru Teg Bahadur hospital to begin Taiyyaba's treatment.
Her doctor, SK Kalra, said the treatment she needs is not available in Agra and her parents have been advised to take her to Delhi.
"When this girl first came to me four to five years back she was diagnosed with congenital heart disease due to which the valves were defected and the big arteries were not in the right place. She often contracts cold and cough, suffers from anaemia, breathlessness and proper growth was not taking place. Her condition required special treatment which is not available in Agra and is quite expensive," Dr Kalra said.
The family approached several NGOs in the city for help but could not raise enough money.
Taiyyaba is no longer worried now, but she hopes her family never has to go through any trouble again. The Class 3 student wants to be a banker, believing in her heart that it will end all their financial problems.