Congenital heart diseases and available interventions in Bangladesh

Congenital heart disease (CHD) refers to structural or functional heart disease present at birth, even if first discovered later. In Bangladesh incidence of congenital heart diseases was found up to 25/1000 live birth in one year in a study conducted in CMH Dhaka.As the incidence of CHD is increasing in Bangladesh, the magnitude of the problem is becoming enormous in the country. The existing number of trained personnel for paediatric cardiology and paediatric cardiac surgery is inadequate. CMH Dhaka is the only centre in Bangladesh where non surgical cardiac interventions for congenital and structural heart lesions are available for patients of any age group starting from newborn since 1998.Pediatric cardiology unit of CMH Dhaka is the first unit of its kind in Bangladesh, established in August 1998.Trans-catheter cardiac interventions on various complex and simple heart disease are available in this centre. Civilian non entitled patients are also eligible to get this treatment in CMH Dhaka after permission from the authority. This treatment is given as outpatient basis with 24 hrs observation in CMH. There are several milestone achievements of the paediatric cardiology unit of CMH Dhaka.The range of interventional treatment options for structural heart diseases including congenital and valvular heart diseases has developed rapidly over the last few years. Catheter based procedures for CHD has emerged as a valuable alternative to medical and surgical therapy in our country. This treatment is replacing the option of cardiac surgery in many cases.CMH Dhaka is the centre in Bangladesh where any kind of medical treatment including interventions are possible for patient with congenital heart diseases. As a result, patients are referred to the paediatric cardiologist of CMH Dhaka from all the cardiac centers of the country for life saving and curative interventions. Thus this centre is saving foreign currency by preventing many patient from going abroad.Paediatric cardiology is a rapidly growing subject and newer interventions are coming everyday. The cardiac centre of CMH Dhaka tries to bring technology from outside the country.As the resources and manpower is limited, it is not possible for our government to have a centre of excellence in every government hospital.