Dr. Mrinalendu Das of RN Tagore Hospital, Kolkata, has won widespread admiration in Mizoram after performing life-saving surgery for six-year-old Cicilya Laltleipuii, even though her family could not afford the full treatment cost.
A Childhood Marked by Illness and Poverty
Cicilya, the eldest of three siblings from the remote village of Dilzawl, was born into extreme poverty. Her father works as a farmer, and the family lives without electricity. Since early childhood, she has suffered seizures, and in 2018, doctors diagnosed her with a hole in her heart. While specialists recommended treatment outside Mizoram, the family lacked the means to pursue it until the Zo Inspiration Foundation, a local charity, began fundraising for her.
First Surgery Brings Hope, But Complications Arise
In January 2025, Cicilya underwent her first surgery at RN Tagore Hospital. However, her health deteriorated in May due to severe complications. Doctors warned she would not survive beyond two months without another operation. Acting swiftly, her family and the charity brought her back to Kolkata, where Dr. Das performed the second surgery on July 21, 2025.
Medical Costs Covered Through Kindness
As reported by eastmojo, the total treatment cost reached nearly ₹13 lakh. Donations raised by the Zo Inspiration Foundation amounted to ₹6.25 lakh, while Dr. Das and the hospital waived the remaining ₹7,24,892. Cicilya was discharged on July 30 and returned to her monsoon-bound village, accessible only by boat.
A Viral Story of Compassion
The Zo Inspiration Foundation praised Dr. Das as “an angel sent by God” in a Facebook post that quickly went viral. Hundreds of people expressed gratitude and admiration for his compassion and the hospital’s generosity, calling the act a shining example of humanity in healthcare.