KARACHI, Jan 11: Alina, a three-and-a-half-year-old girl with an 'exposed' heart, was admitted on Saturday to the National Institute of Cardio-Vascular Diseases (NICVD). She is likely to undergo several operations, the aim of which will be to give adequate protection to her heart.

Alina's heart was vulnerable to direct injuries, the NICVD's Director, Prof Azhar Masood Farooqui, told Dawn on Sunday. If the girl's family could not afford to pay for the operations, she would be provided care absolutely free.

The professor said she was suffering from a rare disorder. "This problem is so rare that a surgeon hopes to see such a case once in 10 or 15 years," he observed.

He elaborated that a major bone was missing from Alina's chest. "This means that there's just a piece of skin that covers her heart. You can literally feel her heart with your fingers."

Prof Farooqui was of the opinion that the baby should have been brought to his institute during her first year of life. "During the first year, the gap must have been smaller than what it is today," he added.

During the next 10 days or so, the NICVD's surgeons and other staff would be holding detailed discussions with child specialists and other consultants. Different investigations would also be carried out before deciding on the future course of action.

"But, I must say that the procedures would be difficult simply because the gap is quit big." The professor said Alina was likely to be operated upon more than once.

In response to a question, Prof Farooqui said his offer of providing care to 20 non-affording Indian patients stood even today. "The offer has gone through the officials channels also to Indians. "And yes, the NICVD remains committed to providing cardiac care to 20 non-affording Indians who come to Karachi for this purpose," he added.