A hand of care for children on the road to recovery

Bengaluru For children with complex airway and swallowing conditions, surviving a critical surgery is often only the first hurdle. The struggle continues even after they are discharged from the hospital. Picture a one-year-old who comes home with a tube to help them breathe or feed.

The child may need continued medical supervision, specialised feeding support and help managing the tube. Parents and caregivers may not always have the necessary skills or knowledge to manage these needs. To address this gap, the Children’s Airway and Swallowing Centre (CASC) will launch its ‘Last Mile Care’ initiative on Children’s Day, extending support beyond the hospital through services that reach the little ones and their caregivers at home.

The services would include a dedicated helpline for emergencies and facilitation for video consultations, easily accessible ambulance services equipped with essential intensive care equipment and trained personnel, and a self-care video accessible through a QR code to help deal with tube care and prevent airway obstruction.