Over 4,000 students undergo heart screening in Taplejung

By Our Correspondent,Taplejung, Jan. 3: More than 4,000 students in Taplejung district have undergone heart disease screening, as part of an initiative by the Nepal Heart Disease Prevention Foundation. The screenings were conducted in Phungling, the administrative headquarters of Taplejung.

A one-day heart check-up camp was organized by the foundation on Tuesday, where 4,247 students from 39 schools in Phungling were tested. The camp was coordinated by Inda Bahadur Gurung, president of the Taplejung branch of the foundation. The screenings revealed that 33 students were diagnosed with heart problems.

Among the students identified with heart conditions, 10 were found to have severe issues that require surgery, while 10 others need regular medication. Additionally, 13 students have been advised to undergo follow-up heart tests in a year, according to Prakash Raj Regmi, former president of the foundation and a senior cardiologist.

The heart check-ups were conducted at Bhanujan Secondary School, Janata Secondary School, and Yubavarsh Secondary School in Phungling Municipality, targeting students studying from grades 1 to 10 from community schools. 

Kamal Prasad Bhattarai, district branch secretary of the foundation, stated that cardiologists participated in the camp and provided their expertise in diagnosing heart conditions.

Bhattarai also confirmed that the foundation will provide free surgery and treatment for children diagnosed with heart disease during the camp.