Rafiya Sheikh needs to be on a plane to Bangalore — this month.
She is one year old, from a daily-wage family in Jhenaidah, and has been accepted for treatment at Narayana Health under Dr. Devi Shetty's hospital network. Everything is arranged except the money to get her there.
Rafiya with her father, Md Rubel Sheikh, and mother, Rokeya Khatun, at their home in Nischintapur, Kaliganj, Jhenaidah.
Her story
Rafiya Sheikh was born on 10 June 2024 to Md Rubel Sheikh, a daily-wage labourer, and Rokeya Khatun, in Nischintapur village, Kaliganj upazila, Jhenaidah. Within her first year, her parents noticed she turned bluish around the lips when she cried, tired quickly while feeding, and struggled to gain weight the way her older sister had.
She was screened and diagnosed at the National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute in Dhaka, then further assessed at Shishu Hospital, Jashore. The diagnosis: a severe case of Tetralogy of Fallot — a critical congenital heart defect combining a hole between the heart's chambers with a narrowed pathway to the lungs — along with an atrial septal defect and a small patent ductus arteriosus. At her worst readings, her blood oxygen saturation measured just 77%, far below the 95–100% a healthy child should have.
Her case has since been reviewed and accepted by Narayana Health, Bangalore — the hospital network founded by Dr. Devi Shetty, and the same hospital where our own founder's daughter was treated in 2022. A formal visa invitation letter has been issued for Rafiya and both of her parents as attendants, with a paediatric cardiology appointment set for 20 September 2026.
What stands between Rafiya and that appointment is what stands between most families we meet and their child's surgery: the cost of travel, stay, and treatment, for a family that earns a single daily wage.
The facts
| Patient | Rafiya Sheikh (রফিয়া শেখ), born 10 June 2024 |
|---|---|
| Parents | Md Rubel Sheikh (father, daily-wage labourer) & Rokeya Khatun (mother) |
| Home | Nischintapur, Kaliganj, Jhenaidah, Bangladesh |
| Diagnosis | Severe Tetralogy of Fallot, with ASD (II) and a small PDA |
| Key finding | Blood oxygen saturation as low as 77% (healthy range: 95–100%) |
| Diagnosed at | National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute, Dhaka; assessed further at Shishu Hospital, Jashore |
| Accepted for treatment | Narayana Health (Narayana Institute of Cardiac Sciences), Bangalore, India |
| Appointment | Paediatric Cardiology, 20 September 2026 |
| Travel status | Hospital visa-invitation letter secured for the patient and two attendants; medical visa application in progress |
Rafiya's echocardiogram report, hospital certificate, fitness-to-travel letters, and the Narayana Health invitation letter are on file with Make My Hope and available for verification to media, partner hospitals, or major donors. We don't publish her family's passport pages or personal ID numbers here, out of respect for their privacy and safety.
Medical evidence on file
A page from Rafiya's echocardiogram report at the National Heart Foundation Hospital & Research Institute, Dhaka — one of several verified documents backing this case.
Her story, in her family's own words
Local television crews visited Rafiya's family after hearing about her condition. These clips show her parents and neighbours describing what the family has been through.
Rafiya's father, Md Rubel Sheikh, speaks to a local news crew about her condition.
Local television coverage (DBC News) of Rafiya's condition, with her mother.
Rafiya with her parents and sister, appealing for help with her treatment.
A family relative describes Rafiya's condition to a news reporter.
A family member speaks about Rafiya and the support the family needs.
Every amount moves her closer to Bangalore
There is no fixed target yet — Narayana Health confirms the final surgery cost only after Rafiya's in-person evaluation. Right now, every donation goes toward securing her travel, attendant visas, and initial hospital deposit so the family doesn't miss the 20 September appointment.
Covers part of a diagnostic test or hospital fee
Contributes to visa and travel costs for the family
A meaningful share of the surgery fund
Covers a major part of one full stage of treatment
How to send your donation
After sending your donation, please email a screenshot and transaction ID to info@makemyhope.com or message 01778-452296, mentioning "Rafiya" — so we can confirm it and send you a receipt.